What is the mnemonic for left and right turns on an overpass?
3 Answers
Turning and lane changing on an overpass: For a right turn, choose to change lanes before the bridge; for a left turn, choose to change lanes to the right after the bridge. Here is some information about overpasses: Introduction: An overpass is a modern bridge engineering project characterized by multi-level roads forming a three-dimensional intersection in space. It is an inevitable product of modern transportation and urbanization, one of the urban public infrastructure, and an indispensable part of today's efficient transportation system. Function: It reduces or eliminates conflicts between vehicles moving in different directions or of different types on the original plane, which can alleviate congestion, save travel time, and enhance driving safety.
I've been driving a taxi for nearly thirty years and have some insights on making turns. On overpasses, the mantra is 'left turns take wide arcs, right turns take tight arcs.' Simply put, when turning left, make a larger circle by turning the steering wheel more and avoid cutting the corner too sharply; for right turns, do the opposite—turn the steering wheel less and quickly merge into the new lane. This is because overpasses have complex structures—taking a wide left turn helps prevent accidentally entering opposing lanes or missing exits, adding a safety buffer, while a tight right turn reduces exposure to intersection risks. I also recommend slowing down to under 40 km/h before turning and checking mirrors and blind spots more often. Some drivers neglect this and often end up in fender-bender accidents. Once you develop the habit, your driving will become much smoother.
I just got my driver's license not long ago. During driving lessons, my instructor always emphasized the mantra 'turn left with a wide arc, turn right with a tight angle.' On overpasses, this is fundamental: when turning left, you need to make a broad turn, as if drawing a large curve; while right turns should hug the roadside with a sharp angle. The reason is that overpass ramps are narrow—taking a tight left turn could easily scrape the guardrail or send you downhill. Last time I tried a left turn on a highway overpass in a panic, I nearly had an accident. Now I firmly remember this rule. You also need to combine it with using turn signals and changing lanes in advance. With a few more practices, beginners can master the rhythm.
