What does 'check the rear when meeting vehicles' mean?
2 Answers
Checking the rear when meeting vehicles refers to maintaining sufficient lateral safety distance when driving in opposite directions. Here are the relevant details: When meeting vehicles: Generally, drivers pay more attention to the front position of vehicles during encounters, so collisions at the front are less likely. However, the rear is different because it's at the back, and when making a turn after completely passing another vehicle, the rear is more prone to scraping. Therefore, observing the rear position is crucial during vehicle encounters. Checking the front when overtaking: When using the overtaking lane to pass another vehicle, besides signaling in advance, it's essential to observe vehicles in the overtaking lane. Pay attention to the front position of these vehicles because if the distance is insufficient after entering the overtaking lane, it's easy to scrape the front of the vehicle in that lane. In other words, 'checking the front when overtaking' means maintaining enough safety distance between your vehicle and the one in the overtaking lane to avoid rear-end collisions.
As someone who has been driving for decades, the saying 'check the rear when meeting cars' actually refers to paying special attention to the rear section of the opposing vehicle when two cars encounter each other on narrow roads or curves. The reason is simple: the rear of a car is often the area with the largest blind spot. If you don't pay attention, the other car might suddenly change lanes or turn, and misjudging the distance can easily lead to a collision. I've encountered this situation many times myself – on narrow country roads, merely looking at the front of the opposing car isn't enough during a meet; you also need to glance at its rear to confirm it has completely passed before daring to proceed. This habit can significantly reduce accidents, especially at night or in rainy conditions when visibility is poor. After driving for so long, I've developed a reflex: every time I meet another car, I first scan its rear to ensure safety before accelerating. Developing this habit has many benefits – not only does it prevent accidents, but it also makes your driving smoother and more confident.
