Why Should Overtaking Be Done from the Left Side?
4 Answers
Here are the reasons for overtaking from the left side: 1. In China, vehicles drive on the right side, and the driver is on the left, which provides a broader field of vision, making it safer to overtake from the left. 2. Generally, when overtaking, choose the leftmost overtaking lane. First, turn on the left turn signal to indicate your intention to overtake to the vehicles behind. Then, you must check the left rearview mirror to see if there are any vehicles behind you. If they are too close, it is advisable to wait for an appropriate moment to overtake. If there are no vehicles behind, you can proceed to overtake, but you must also check if the vehicle ahead is preparing to make a left turn. If so, do not overtake and wait for the right moment. 3. Never overtake from the right side; this is the rule.
Overtaking from the left is a fundamental safety rule in driving. As a long-time driver, I fully understand the reason: the driver's position is on the left side of the vehicle, which provides a clearer view of the left rear with fewer blind spots. The right side, however, is closer to the roadside, where bicycles, pedestrians, or sudden obstacles may appear. Overtaking from the right obstructs visibility and increases collision risks. Traffic regulations also clearly designate the left lane as the overtaking lane—for example, on highways, the right lane is reserved for slower vehicles or emergency stops. Overtaking from the left helps maintain smooth traffic flow and prevents rear-end collisions. Reflecting on a past experience, I nearly had an accident because another driver overtook from the right, almost causing a crash. Additionally, modern car designs, such as optimized rearview mirror angles, enhance visibility for left-side overtaking, improving overall safety. Violating this rule by overtaking from the right may result in fines or accidents. Cultivate good habits: always signal with a turn indicator, confirm no vehicles are approaching from the left rear, and then proceed to ensure everyone's safety on the road. These details contribute to orderly traffic and reduce accidents.
Overtaking from the left is a necessary safety habit, which I pay more attention to after having children, as the right side is often the slow lane or emergency area, where pedestrians or bicycles may appear. Overtaking from the right increases the driver's blind spots, potentially making it difficult to see obstacles in time, leading to collisions, which is especially dangerous for children in the back seat. The law also emphasizes this point, with the left lane designated as the overtaking lane, and violations can result in penalty points or fines. Additionally, vehicle design makes left turns more stable, and control systems like ESP function better during overtaking. As a daily driver, I remind my novice friends to check the rearview mirror first, maintain a safe distance, and accelerate smoothly when overtaking from the left to avoid confusion. Developing this habit also improves overall efficiency, preventing vehicles from clogging the fast lane. In short, safety is no small matter, and overtaking from the left is simple and practical.
Simply put, overtaking from the left is safer because the driver sits on the left side, providing a better view through the right rearview mirror and reducing blind spot risks. The right lane is typically the slow lane or an exit lane. If there are parked vehicles on the highway's edge, overtaking from the right increases collision risks. The rule designates the left as the overtaking lane to enhance efficiency and safety. With years of driving experience, I know this helps prevent rear-end collisions and keeps traffic flowing smoothly. Making it a habit ensures relaxed driving.
