Which side to exit the vehicle when getting off on a motor vehicle lane?
3 Answers
When getting off a vehicle on a motor vehicle lane, exit from the side in the direction of the vehicle's movement. Definition of motor vehicle lane: A motor vehicle lane refers to the lane on a highway or urban road (the part of the road between the curbs on both sides or the paved surface on a highway, exclusively for vehicle passage) from the first vehicle lane demarcation line on the right to the center line (or the geometric center line if there is no center line). Except under special circumstances, it is exclusively for motor vehicle traffic. Width of motor vehicle lanes: For multi-lane roads of grade three and above, the width of each motor vehicle lane is 3.5-3.75 meters. There is no uniform standard for the central divider; it is adapted to local conditions. A simple cement central divider is one meter wide (the distance between the white solid lines on both sides of the central divider).
I've always believed that the safest practice after parking in a motor vehicle lane is to exit from the right-side door. I've experienced several instances where exiting from the left side could easily lead to being hit by oncoming traffic, which is extremely dangerous, especially on highways or busy urban roads with fast-moving vehicles. The drivers behind might not react in time, and opening the door could result in an accident. I remember last time I witnessed someone getting grazed by an electric scooter in such a situation, ending up with stitches at the hospital and missing several days of work. That's why I've made it a habit to always check the rearview mirror to ensure safety before exiting from the right door, as facing away from the traffic lane significantly reduces the risk. When teaching friends, I always emphasize that this small detail can save lives—especially in cases of encountering drunk or speeding drivers. Don't cut corners; take those extra few seconds to do the right thing. Safety is far more important than saving time.
As a regular middle-aged guy who often takes my family out, I'm extra careful about getting out of the car from the right-side door when parking on the street. With kids bouncing around in the car, I always teach them to exit from the right side first because the left side directly faces the traffic lane - one careless driver speeding by could lead to unthinkable consequences. I remember one time when my wife urgently opened the left door to grab something and almost got hit by a truck, which left our whole family traumatized. Since then, I not only practice this myself but also remind passengers to make it a habit. Especially in congested areas with heavy traffic and high speeds, the right-side exit provides safer access to sidewalks or road shoulders. I consider this as important as wearing seatbelts - it's basic life wisdom that protects you and avoids unnecessary trouble and expenses.
