In what situations is overtaking prohibited?
Ms. Hoang Thi Hoai, residing in Quynh Luu district, asks: What rules must be followed when overtaking a vehicle? In what situations is overtaking prohibited?
Reply:
According to the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024:
"Overtaking is a traffic situation on a road where each direction of travel has only one lane for motor vehicles, and the vehicle behind moves to the left to move ahead of the vehicle in front."
On roads with two or more lanes for motor vehicles traveling in the same direction, separated by lane markings, when a vehicle behind moves ahead of the vehicle in front, the lane usage rules stipulated in Article 13 of this Law shall apply.
Article 14The Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024 also specifies the following:Overtake and yield the right of way to vehicles requesting to overtake.as follows:
- When overtaking other vehicles, you must overtake on the left; however, if the vehicle in front is signaling a left turn or is turning left, or if a specialized vehicle is working on the road and overtaking on the left is not possible, you may overtake on the right.
- Vehicles requesting to overtake may only do so when there are no obstacles ahead, no oncoming vehicles in the section of road intended for overtaking, the vehicle ahead is not signaling to overtake another vehicle, and has already signaled to turn right and move to the right.
- When a vehicle requests to overtake, the driver of the vehicle in front must observe the road ahead. If safe conditions permit, they must reduce speed, signal a right turn to inform the driver of the vehicle behind that they are overtaking, and move close to the right side of the road until the vehicle behind has passed. They must not obstruct the overtaking vehicle.
In case of obstacles or unsafe conditions, the driver of the vehicle in front shall signal a left turn to inform the driver of the vehicle behind that overtaking is not permitted.
- Vehicles requesting to overtake must signal with flashing headlights or a horn, except for rudimentary vehicles without headlights and horns. When overtaking, a directional signal must be used, and a safe distance must be maintained from the vehicle in front and behind throughout the overtaking process. In urban areas and densely populated areas, between 10 PM the previous day and 5 AM the following day, only signaling with lights is permitted when requesting to overtake.
- According to Clause 6, Article 14,According to the 2024 Road Traffic Safety Law, overtaking is prohibited in the following cases:
a) When the conditions stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article are not met;
b) There is only one lane on the narrow bridge;
c) Curves with limited visibility;
d) On a two-way road at the top of a slope where visibility is limited;
d) At level crossings, where roads intersect with railways;
e) When weather or road conditions do not ensure safe overtaking;
g) When encountering an emergency vehicle;
h) In the pedestrian crossing area;
i) When pedestrians or wheelchair users cross the road;
k) Inside road tunnels.
