Why should you overtake from the left side of the vehicle ahead?
2 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.
