Why should you overtake from the left side of the vehicle ahead?
5 Answers
Overtaking should be done from the left side of the vehicle ahead due to legal regulations, safety concerns, habitual practices, and the higher risk associated with overtaking from the right. The specific explanations for these reasons are as follows: Legal regulations: Chinese traffic laws mandate that vehicles must overtake from the left. Overtaking from the right is explicitly prohibited by traffic regulations. Safety concerns: Overtaking from the left is safer. This is because the driver's position is on the left, providing a broader field of vision on that side. Habitual practices: Overtaking from the left aligns with societal norms. Higher risk of overtaking from the right: The driver's right side has a larger blind spot and significantly limited visibility. Overtaking from the right greatly increases the risk of traffic accidents.
Overtaking must always be done from the left side of the vehicle ahead, primarily for safety reasons. From my over twenty years of driving experience, I've learned that in countries where traffic keeps to the right, the driver's seat is on the left. When overtaking from the left, you have a wider field of vision, allowing you to clearly see the situation in the opposite lane and avoid sudden accidents. Conversely, overtaking from the right can create blind spots, such as the vehicle ahead suddenly changing lanes or bicycles or pedestrians darting out, increasing the risk of collision. Additionally, on highways or multi-lane roads, the left lane is usually the fast lane, making overtaking smoother and more efficient. I often remind new drivers that developing the habit of overtaking from the left can significantly reduce safety hazards, ensuring every drive is smooth and worry-free, especially in rainy, foggy, or nighttime conditions.
I have always believed that overtaking on the left is the standard practice, as it aligns with the traffic rule systems of most countries. While driving, I deeply understand why left-side overtaking is mandated: it makes all road behaviors more predictable and avoids confusion. If you overtake from the right, the vehicle ahead may not notice your maneuver, especially if it intends to turn or stop, which can easily lead to rear-end collisions or side impacts. On congested urban roads, left-side overtaking also reduces the risk of contact with roadside obstacles. Through long-term practice, I have come to realize that maintaining consistency is crucial for overall traffic safety, which is why I adhere to the left-overtaking principle every time.
I haven't been driving for very long, but my instructor always emphasizes that passing from the left is safer. Since the driver sits on the left side of the vehicle, you can directly observe the oncoming traffic through the front windshield during overtaking, providing a wider field of vision. If you pass from the right, the windshield of the car in front may block your view, potentially obscuring unexpected situations. In my daily driving, I make sure to leave enough space to overtake from the left, thus avoiding unnecessary risks.
I am accustomed to cautious driving and always choose the left side when overtaking, which stems from basic safety logic. Vehicle design places the driver on the left, making left-side overtaking more direct for monitoring, such as clearly seeing oncoming traffic or obstacles. Overtaking from the right is too dangerous, as the right rearview mirror of the vehicle ahead has limited visibility, and you might misjudge the distance. In right-hand traffic countries like China, overtaking on the left has become the norm, and I strictly adhere to it to reduce the probability of accidents. On actual roads, I signal in advance and accelerate to complete the maneuver safely.
