Which Side Should You Drive On Mountainous Roads?
3 Answers
On mountain roads, you should pay attention to oncoming traffic and drive on the right side to ensure driving safety. The precautions for driving on highways include: 1. Both the driver and front-seat passenger should fasten their seat belts, and the driver should not answer phone calls; 2. Avoid making sudden turns of the steering wheel while driving at high speeds; 3. Do not change lanes arbitrarily while driving. When changing lanes or overtaking the vehicle ahead, you must turn on the turn signal in advance; 4. Only use adjacent lanes when overtaking, and immediately return to the driving lane after overtaking. Vehicles must not straddle or drive on lane dividers; 5. Do not reverse, drive in the opposite direction, make U-turns or turns by crossing the central divider, conduct test drives or drive training vehicles, or overtake or park on ramps; 6. Maintain a distance of at least 100 meters between vehicles. When the speed is below 100 km/h, the distance from the vehicle ahead in the same lane can be appropriately reduced, but the minimum distance should not be less than 50 meters.
When driving on those steep mountain roads, I always remember to stay close to the mountain side for safety. I recall one time when I was driving on a narrow mountain road in Yunnan—barely wide enough for one car—with sheer cliffs on the outside. I kept steadily to the inner side, only to nearly encounter an oncoming truck. Fortunately, I slowed down in time to avoid it. In such conditions, staying inside not only prevents sliding off the cliff but also reduces the risk of being hit by falling rocks—especially dangerous during heavy rain. I recommend maintaining a slow speed, using lower gears, and avoiding phone distractions. Additionally, turn on fog lights or low beams to improve visibility, making it easier to alert oncoming drivers. When taking breaks, park in safe areas, avoiding curves or hilltops to prevent accidental rollaways. Before every trip, I check my tires and brakes to ensure they’re in good condition—safety comes first on treacherous roads. Take it slow, and you’ll always make it home safely.
When driving in mountainous areas, I prefer to stay on the side closer to the mountain—it feels more secure. During my last trip to Huangshan, the roads were extremely steep with sheer drops on the outer edge, so I hugged the inner side, as if having a protective shield. In my younger days, I was reckless and took sharp turns at high speeds, only to have my wheels skid, leaving me in a cold sweat. Since then, I’ve learned to drive slowly on treacherous roads, maintain a safe distance, and use the horn to alert oncoming traffic. If visibility is poor at night or in the rain, and using headlights might worsen the danger, I simply pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Fellow drivers also advised me to regularly check the suspension system on such roads to avoid losing control due to excessive vibration. I always carry a GPS or download offline maps to prevent getting lost if signals drop. As seasoned mountain drivers know, safe driving outweighs rushing—keeping a steady mindset and enjoying the scenery along the way makes all the difference.
