What are the steps for overtaking?
2 Answers
Before overtaking, observe the rear vehicles and road conditions through the rearview mirror, and try to choose a time with good visibility and a straight road for overtaking. Turn on the left turn signal and honk the horn to indicate your intention. If honking is not allowed at night, use the method of alternately switching high beams instead. After confirming that the vehicle ahead has signaled to yield, slightly turn the steering wheel to the left and maintain a certain lateral distance from the vehicle being overtaken. Then downshift a gear, press the accelerator deeply to increase speed, and overtake from the left side of the vehicle being overtaken, minimizing the time the two vehicles are side by side. After overtaking, maintain the speed for a while, observe the following vehicles through the rearview mirror, and turn on the right turn signal to return to the original lane after confirming safety.
When I first learned to drive, overtaking scared me to death! The steps are actually quite simple: first, check the rearview mirror to see if any cars are approaching quickly from behind, ensuring a safe distance; then signal a left turn with the indicator to let the car in front and surrounding drivers know your intention; next, check the blind spot by turning your head to make sure there are no bicycles or scooters hiding; once ready, accelerate decisively to pass the car ahead, without a sudden speed increase that could cause loss of control, maintaining a smooth motion; after overtaking, don’t rush back into the original lane—take another glance in the mirror and merge back only when there’s enough space. My personal experience is that impatience is the most dangerous—like that time on a mountain road when I tried to overtake a truck without seeing an oncoming car around the bend, leading to a close call. Now, I only overtake on straight, open roads. On rainy days with slippery roads, reducing speed is even more crucial. With patience and practice, it becomes easier to handle, but safety always comes first—never rush.
