What lights to use when overtaking?
2 Answers
When overtaking, you should turn on the left turn signal, alternate between high and low beams, or honk the horn to alert the vehicle ahead to yield. This is to inform surrounding vehicles of your intention. The following vehicle will recognize your left turn signal and understand that you intend to overtake. The flashing lights are more likely to catch the attention of the vehicle ahead in its rearview mirror. When overtaking, ensure you accelerate sufficiently. You can downshift in advance to accelerate—the purpose of downshifting is not to slow down but to facilitate better overtaking, minimizing the time spent side by side with the other vehicle. After completing the overtaking maneuver, once you have created sufficient distance from the overtaken vehicle, move back to the original lane on the right. Use of turn signals: When approaching a general flat intersection, depending on the road width, traffic flow, and current driving speed, activate the turn signal in the direction of the turn 30-10 meters before the intersection. For right turns or lane changes to the right, use the right turn signal; for left turns or lane changes to the left, use the left turn signal. When entering an intersection with designated lanes, activate the turn signal before entering the lane. Turning it on too early may give the impression of a "forgotten turn signal" to the following vehicle, while turning it on too late may cause accidents due to delayed reactions from other vehicles or pedestrians. When entering or exiting a roundabout, activate the corresponding turn signal based on the direction of travel. During driving, if traffic in your lane is congested and you need to change lanes, observe through the rearview mirror whether adjacent lanes are clear. Without obstructing normal traffic in other lanes, activate the corresponding turn signal in advance before changing lanes. When making a U-turn, activate the left turn signal and check for oncoming traffic in front and behind before proceeding. On roads without marked center solid lines, when overtaking, activate the left turn signal and honk the horn (except in no-honking zones). If you are the one being overtaken, yield by moving to the right. When pulling over to park, activate the right turn signal in advance and observe the traffic dynamics on the right rear before moving to the side. When leaving a parking spot, activate the left turn signal in advance and observe the traffic dynamics on the left rear before merging into the traffic lane. Precautions for using car lights: On poorly lit roads: Use high beams on roads without streetlights or with poor lighting. However, switch to low beams when approaching other vehicles or pedestrians to avoid glare. When needing to read road signs: If unfamiliar with the road and needing to read signs, you may use high beams briefly but should quickly revert to low beams. When passing corners, curves, or intersections without traffic signals, alternate between high and low beams as a warning. When driving through tunnels: Use high beams but switch to low beams in advance when encountering oncoming traffic. In urban areas with streetlights at night: Always use low beams. On dark roads without streetlights: Use low beams when driving in unlit areas at night or during dusk or dawn when visibility is low. When visibility is obstructed: In heavy fog, snow, or rain, even during the day, use low beams if visibility is compromised.
Before overtaking, I must use the turn signal to alert the car in front and other drivers. This not only indicates my intention but also avoids sudden lane changes that could lead to rear-end collisions or side scrapes. Especially on highways, where speeds are high and distances between cars are short, not using the turn signal is as dangerous as driving invisibly. I will first check the rearview mirror to ensure the adjacent lane is clear before signaling, and wait for the signal to flash for three seconds before taking action. When overtaking at night, I might use the low beams to improve visibility, but I absolutely avoid high beams to prevent blinding others. Safety is the top priority; developing this habit makes driving much less stressful. Additionally, remember to turn off the signal promptly after overtaking—don’t leave it flashing—this is both courteous and standard practice.
