Why is overtaking on the right side not allowed?
2 Answers
Reasons for not allowing overtaking on the right side are as follows: 1. In China, vehicles are left-hand drive and drive on the right side of the road. When overtaking from the left, the driver has better visibility from the driver's seat. Overtaking from the right creates a larger blind spot, requiring the vehicle to move entirely into the right lane to fully assess the safety of that lane, which increases the risk of accidents. 2. The left lane is generally the fast lane, while the right lane is the slow lane. Overtaking typically involves acceleration, and overtaking from the right is more likely to be obstructed by slower-moving vehicles, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Overtaking from the left aligns with normal driving patterns. The correct method for overtaking is as follows: 1. Check the left rearview mirror, signal left, and after confirming it is safe, accelerate into the left lane. 2. Pass the vehicle in front, then merge back into the right lane to complete the overtaking process.
The other day on the highway, a novice driver asked me about this. After driving for so many years, I've found the biggest problem with passing on the right is the blind spot. When you're sitting on the left side driving, your visibility on the right is naturally worse. Especially when dealing with large trucks, passing on the right is like gambling with your life—you don't see an accident vehicle ahead until you've already pulled out, and then it's too late to brake. What's even worse is that if the car in front suddenly swerves to the right while you're passing on that side, there's no room to dodge. I remember accompanying a friend to handle an accident where he didn't see an electric bike while passing on the right and ended up paying 38,000 yuan in compensation. Newer cars with blind spot monitoring are better, but it's best not to take the risk.
