Why is overtaking not allowed when turning left?
4 Answers
Overtaking is not allowed when turning left for the following reasons: Overtaking on the right is dangerous: The main reason overtaking on the right is dangerous is due to the blind spots in left-hand drive vehicles. For left-hand drive cars, the blind spot on the driver's right side is larger, severely limiting visibility. Drivers can easily overlook vehicles in this position. If the vehicle being overtaken fails to notice the violating vehicle on the right in time and changes lanes to the right, it can easily collide with the vehicle that is "overtaking on the right." Overtaking on the right violates traffic laws: "Overtaking on the right" is explicitly prohibited by traffic regulations. In the event of a traffic accident, traffic police will investigate whether there was an "overtaking on the right" violation. If confirmed, corresponding penalties will be imposed. Benefits of overtaking on the left: If a driver wants to overtake the vehicle ahead from the right, they must position their car to the right of the vehicle ahead to observe the road conditions and determine if overtaking is safe. However, when overtaking from the left, the driver only needs to slightly deviate to the left within the lane to observe whether overtaking is possible, ensuring greater safety.
When making a left turn while driving, never attempt to overtake—it's extremely dangerous. During turns, blind spots are significant, and the A-pillar can block oncoming vehicles or pedestrians. If you accelerate to pass without clear visibility of the road conditions, a collision becomes likely. Accelerating also destabilizes the vehicle, with centrifugal force potentially causing it to swing outward, especially in rainy conditions or on sharp curves where loss of control is more probable. Once, at a crossroads, I tried overtaking during a left turn and nearly sideswiped the rear of an oncoming truck—it scared me stiff. Accident data analysis shows that overtaking during turns is a common contributing factor. The safety-first principle teaches us: focus on executing the turn properly without distractions, and only consider overtaking after completing the turn on a straight stretch. Maintain a safe following distance and patiently trail the car ahead—it might save mere minutes but safeguards lives. Life is singular and not to be gambled with. Roads aren't racetracks; drive wisely.
As a novice driver, I learned this lesson the hard way. Last time I was in a hurry and tried to overtake a slow car while making a left turn. Suddenly, an electric bicycle appeared from my blind spot, and I had to slam on the brakes, nearly losing control of the car. It was terrifying! My instructor taught me that when turning, focus should solely be on steering—attempting to overtake divides attention and leads to mistakes. With obstructed views, you can't see oncoming traffic or changes in the curve, making accelerating to pass like gambling. In hindsight, waiting those few seconds costs nothing compared to arriving safely. Now I've developed a habit: slowing down and queuing up during turns, no more rushing. Safety isn't accidental; it's built through habits. Yielding in small matters ensures peace of mind. Remember this principle, and driving becomes more reassuring.
From a safety perspective, overtaking while making a left turn violates fundamental rules. During turns, the vehicle body tilts, reducing stability; blind spots increase, making it easier to overlook oncoming or laterally moving objects. Overtaking requires lane changes and acceleration, increasing collision risks, especially in high-accident areas like intersections. Data supports this prohibition: centrifugal force can easily lead to loss of control, and visibility is limited. Focusing on steering is most critical.
