# Overtake on the left. Really? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 16, 2007, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569 "2007-02-16T23:43:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2007, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/61 "2007-02-20T22:32:17Z")
[QUOTE=Red Barchetta] Cite? I explicitly remember leaning in driver’s ed, as recently as 5 years ago, that there are definitely blind spots on either side of the vehicle, regardless of how well adjusted your mirrors are or not. [/QUOTE] This is scary. For many reasons. To name just one - you are apparently willing to drive, on public roads where the rest of us are taking our lives in your hands, and base your decisions on something you learned FROM SOMEONE ELSE, rather than relying upon your own experience to guide you on this crucial matter. Have you never explored adjusting your own mirrors so that you can see all around you? If not, may I requst that you do so a.s.a.p. Fact is, taking a glance around when you plan to change lanes is not a terrible thing to do, and it is always a comforting thing to double check. On the other hand, if your mirrors are adjusted correctly, and you are consulting them often enough, you should be able to drive along and know what is happening around you without that peek. If they are adjusted correctly, a car coming up on your left or right should be visible in your mirrors until you are able to see them out of the corner of your eye at the side of your car. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2007, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/62 "2007-02-20T22:47:24Z")
[QUOTE=acsenray] What’s all this “cruising lane” and “passing lane” stuff? I’ve never heard of them. I’ve only heard of the right lane, center lane, and left lane. Neither my driver’s ed class nor any manual given to me by the state DMV has mentioned anything about “drive only on the right” and “pass only on the left.” If you are going relatively faster, you drive on the left. If someone is coming up faster behind you, you move right. But I’ve never seen any rule that says you have to continually zig-zag, returning to the right lane as soon as you’ve passed a slower car. Is it actually in the rule book? [/QUOTE] It’s mentioned in the Illinois Rules of the Road, although not terribly clearly: > [@](#): > > Passing > > A driver must use caution when passing another vehicle. On a two-lane highway, the left lane should be clearly seen and be free of oncoming traffic for a distance great enough to permit passing. Do not turn back into the right-hand lane until you can see the car you have just passed in your rearview mirror. You must return to your lane before you get within 200 ft. of an oncoming vehicle. The driver you are passing must not increase speed until you have completed your passing. You may pass on the right (but not on the shoulder): > > ``` > * when you have enough room on a two-lane roadway, and when the vehicle you are passing is making or is about to make a left turn. > * won a one-way street or on a roadway with two or more clear lanes in each direction. > * at an intersection widened for this purpose. > > ``` [Cite.](http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/rules_of_the_road/rr_chap03.html#passing) I would presume that if the left-lane rule is written into the law, it should be in the state’s Rules of the Road book. EDIT: Actually, what I cited is for two-lanes and doesn’t apply to the case at hand. The section directly below addresses your question: > [@](#): > > You must drive on the right half of the roadway except: > > ``` > * when passing another vehicle moving in the same direction on a two-lane highway, interstate highway or controlled freeway. > * when a blockage makes it necessary to drive to the left of the center line. > > ``` > > […] > > Effective January 2004, when driving on an interstate highway or full access controlled freeway, a person may not drive in the left lane, except when passing another vehicle. Exceptions include when no other vehicle is directly behind the vehicle being driven in the left lane, when traffic conditions/congestion make it impractical to drive in the right lane, when weather conditions make it necessary to use the left lane, when there is an obstruction or hazard in the right lane, or when the driver is changing lanes to yield to emergency or construction vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2007, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/63 "2007-02-21T00:45:10Z")
[QUOTE=Randy Seltzer] In the US, the left lane is the passing lane. Yes, okay, there seems little reason behind it, but if everyone observed the rule, highway driving would be a lot safer. The main reason being that you should be able to switch from the left to the right lane without worrying that anyone is trying to pass you on the right. Of course, 90% of drivers ignore the rule, so you’ve got to be doubly careful switching back into the crusing (right) lane from the passing (left) lane. [/quote] As has been noted, this is not a law on practically any freeway I know of. On Bay Area freeways, the left lane is seldom the fastest, and the right lane is often not the slowest. > [@](#): > > The more important aspect of the rule, in my opinion, involves passing big-rigs. IANA truck driver, but if you do a lot of inter-city highway driving, you’ll notice that semis always cruise in the right lane. Since the driver sits on the left side of the cab, their field of vision is much clearer on their left, and it’s easier to see cars passing them in the passing lane. If I am approaching a semi crusing (for whatever reason) in the left lane, I \*NEVER \* attempt to pass it on the right. They’ll eventually switch lanes when they see you behind them. You learn in drivers-ed that this practice is suicidal, and most tractor-trailer vs. automoble accidents on the highway result from someone trying to pass a semi on the right. Perhaps for long-haul driving, but on Bay Area Freeways trucks seldom take the right lane, more often the middle lane (except just before scales, etc.) The reason for this is that with many entrance ramps, and frequent merges, driving in the right lane is far more dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2007, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/64 "2007-02-21T01:53:11Z")
[QUOTE=pulykamell] Actually, what I cited is for two-lanes and doesn’t apply to the case at hand. The section directly below addresses your question: [/QUOTE] No, it doesn’t, actually. It says you should drive on the right _half_ of the road and should cross the _center line_ only under certain conditions. The right half of the road includes all the lanes going the same way on my side of the center line, whether one, two, or three. Does anyone else have an actual cite to a law that mandates “left lane only for passing/drive only in the right lane”? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2007, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/65 "2007-02-21T03:38:52Z")
[QUOTE=acsenray] No, it doesn’t, actually. It says you should drive on the right _half_ of the road and should cross the _center line_ only under certain conditions. The right half of the road includes all the lanes going the same way on my side of the center line, whether one, two, or three. Does anyone else have an actual cite to a law that mandates “left lane only for passing/drive only in the right lane”? [/QUOTE] Did you not read my edit? Here it is again: > [@](#): > > Effective January 2004, when driving on an interstate highway or full access controlled freeway, a person may not drive in the left lane, except when passing another vehicle. Exceptions include when no other vehicle is directly behind the vehicle being driven in the left lane, when traffic conditions/congestion make it impractical to drive in the right lane, when weather conditions make it necessary to use the left lane, when there is an obstruction or hazard in the right lane, or when the driver is changing lanes to yield to emergency or construction vehicles. I also cited in Post 37 the left lane law in Illinois. I’m not sure what more you want. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2007, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/66 "2007-02-21T03:45:39Z")
Furthermore, ILCS 5/11-701(d) states: > [@](#): > > (d) **Upon an Interstate highway or fully access controlled freeway, a vehicle may not be driven in the left lane, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle.** > > ``` > (e) Subsection (d) of this Section does not apply: > (1) when no other vehicle is directly behind the > > ``` > > vehicle in the left lane; > > ``` > (2) when traffic conditions and congestion make it > > ``` > > impractical to drive in the right lane; > > ``` > (3) when snow and other inclement weather conditions > > ``` > > make it necessary to drive in the left lane; > > ``` > (4) when obstructions or hazards exist in the right > > ``` > > lane; > > ``` > (5) when a vehicle changes lanes to comply with > > ``` > > Sections 11‑907 and 11‑908 of this Code; > > ``` > (6) when, because of highway design, a vehicle must > > ``` > > be driven in the left lane when preparing to exit; > > ``` > (7) on toll highways when necessary to use I‑Pass, > > ``` > > and on toll and other highways when driving in the left lane is required to comply with an official traffic control device; or > > ``` > (8) to law enforcement vehicles, ambulances, and > > ``` > > other emergency vehicles engaged in official duties and vehicles engaged in highway maintenance and construction operations. > (Source: P.A. 93‑447, eff. 1‑1‑04.) (Emphasis mine). This does not refer to passing across the center lane into oncoming lanes, but rather same-direction lanes. Incidentally, the fine for this is $75. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2007, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/67 "2007-02-21T05:10:32Z")
And I just realized that **lowbrass** has already quoted the law for Illinois. He is correct in his interpretation that the law does not strictly prohibit driving in the left lane in Illinois, but it does require drivers to move out of the left lane if traffic is trying to pass them from behind. As far as I understand it, states with left lane laws usually are stricter than this, and only permit travel in the left(most) lane for passing in normal circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![lowbrass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dc4da7/32.png) [@lowbrass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lowbrass)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2007, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/68 "2007-02-21T09:07:51Z")
[QUOTE=CC] This is scary. For many reasons. To name just one - you are apparently willing to drive, on public roads where the rest of us are taking our lives in your hands, and base your decisions on something you learned FROM SOMEONE ELSE, rather than relying upon your own experience to guide you on this crucial matter. Have you never explored adjusting your own mirrors so that you can see all around you? If not, may I requst that you do so a.s.a.p. Fact is, taking a glance around when you plan to change lanes is not a terrible thing to do, and it is always a comforting thing to double check. On the other hand, if your mirrors are adjusted correctly, and you are consulting them often enough, you should be able to drive along and know what is happening around you without that peek. If they are adjusted correctly, a car coming up on your left or right should be visible in your mirrors until you are able to see them out of the corner of your eye at the side of your car. [/QUOTE] Actually, you’re dead wrong - which _is_ scary, since you are so adamant about your incorrect point of view. You most definitely have blind spots around your car. I used to be a driving instructor; I know what I’m talking about. One of the lessons we taught was to have a student sit in the driver’s seat and have the instructor start at the side of the car and walk outwards until visible in the mirror. We could draw a chalk outline of the blind spots this way. They exist. Many drivers don’t realize it, but then there are _a lot_ of things many drivers don’t realize. There is an “alternate” method of adjusting mirrors that is being touted by many. It’s on the “Car Talk” website; I’m not sure if this is where it originated. This method is claimed to eliminate blind spots, but there is much controversy surrounding the claim. Check out [this](http://www.driveandstayalive.com/articles%20and%20topics/driving-myths-and-mistakes/setting-the-mirrors.htm)site. Even those who advocate the method generally advise against using it as a substitute for checking your blind spots. It’s foolhardy to advise people not to check their blind spot when changing lanes. I couldn’t even tell you how many times I’ve had to swerve to avoid being hit by reckless drivers who come into my lane without checking their blind spot. ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2007, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/69 "2007-02-21T14:11:54Z")
[QUOTE=lowbrass] … I used to be a driving instructor; I know what I’m talking about… [/QUOTE] I see. Being a teacher makes you an expert on the topic. mmm hmm. FWIW, I can set my mirrors so that I don’t have a blind spot when I’m driving. [QUOTE=lowbrass] It’s foolhardy to advise people not to check their blind spot when changing lanes. I couldn’t even tell you how many times I’ve had to swerve to avoid being hit by reckless drivers who come into my lane without checking their blind spot [/QUOTE] Re-read my post. I said it’s comforting to double check. In other words, even if you are sure you have been watching the traffic and your mirrors are adjusted correctly, you can peek just to be sure. I’ll reiterate the other point that you apparently missed - that drivers need to be constantly consulting their mirrors. I’ll suggest that many drivers education courses fail to emphasize this, partly because of my own observation of cars driving in front of me where I can see either sky or ground or the side of their car in their rear view mirrors, but not me or my car - meaning that the driver cannot see me, either. Clearly, they aren’t using their mirrors. Who taught them how to drive?!!! ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2007, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/70 "2007-02-21T15:36:08Z")
As one of the people who advocates the mirror settings criticized in the link in **lowbrass** ’ post, I have to say that I’m not impressed by the arguments on that page. Mainly, he seems to be relying on the “evidence” of that drawing, which I don’t think bears much relation to the reality of most cars’ field of view. I think he’s drawn it to create blind spots where most cars would not have them. Furthermore, the “Car One” drawing (his preferred method) should have significant blind spots to the outside. The key to the proper adjustment of mirrors is that as a car behind and to either side of you moves toward you and out of your center rearview mirror, it should appear in one of your sideview mirrors. By definition this means that you have no blind spot. The old-fashioned method, in which you could see the side of the car in your side view mirrors, duplicated part of the view of the rearview mirror, and in doing so left a blind spot in the 7 or 8 o’clock position, before the other vehicle moved alongside where it would be seen in the driver’s peripheral vision. It was this blind spot that the head turn is supposed to check. The “wide” setting of the sideview mirrors covers that area, and should significantly reduce the need for “shoulder checks.” Of course, all cars are different, and there can be other obstructions, like passengers, large window stickers, etc., as that site points out. But in general, it should be possible to adjust the mirrors of most cars to drastically reduce or eliminate virtually all blind spots. (BTW, I’m a [driving instructor](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=369540), too.) ---
**Author:** ![lowbrass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dc4da7/32.png) [@lowbrass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lowbrass)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2007, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/71 "2007-02-21T20:35:52Z")
[QUOTE=commasense] The key to the proper adjustment of mirrors is that as a car behind and to either side of you moves toward you and out of your center rearview mirror, it should appear in one of your sideview mirrors. By definition this means that you have no blind spot. [/quote] Well, no. It means that you can see _some part of_ a car-sized object or larger, if it’s in the lane immediately next to you. It ignores the fact that pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists exist. It also ignores the fact that a car two lanes over could be moving into a lane from the other side at the same time you are moving into that lane. > [@](#): > > The old-fashioned method, in which you could see the side of the car in your side view mirrors, duplicated part of the view of the rearview mirror, and in doing so left a blind spot in the 7 or 8 o’clock position, before the other vehicle moved alongside where it would be seen in the driver’s peripheral vision. It was this blind spot that the head turn is supposed to check. The “wide” setting of the sideview mirrors covers that area, and should significantly reduce the need for “shoulder checks.” What do you mean by “reduce”? You either need to check the blind spot every time, or you don’t need to at all. It makes no sense to only do it _sometimes_. Think about this for one second: Your rearview mirror frames the rear window. The extent of the view from that mirror is what can be seen out the rear window. You can not see either outside rear corner of the car AT ALL from the rearview mirror. If you adjust your side mirrors so that those rear corners are also out of _their_ view, then you are not seeing those spots at all. Another car may be wide enough to span that gap, but a motorcycle is not. > [@](#): > > (BTW, I’m a [driving instructor](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=369540), too.) Then you should know better than to advise people not to check blind spots when changing lanes. ---
**Author:** ![lowbrass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dc4da7/32.png) [@lowbrass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lowbrass)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2007, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/72 "2007-02-21T20:39:29Z")
[QUOTE=CC] I see. Being a teacher makes you an expert on the topic. mmm hmm. [/QUOTE] Given that special training and a license are required to be a teacher, yes it does. You must have been a joy to your teachers when you were in school. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2007, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/73 "2007-02-21T21:16:15Z")
[QUOTE=lowbrass] Well, no. It means that you can see _some part of_ a car-sized object or larger, if it’s in the lane immediately next to you. It ignores the fact that pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists exist. It also ignores the fact that a car two lanes over could be moving into a lane from the other side at the same time you are moving into that lane. [/quote] Okay, I freely admit that I do not check for pedestrians or bicycles when changing lanes on the freeway. Call me careless! :rolleyes: To be clear, I’m not arguing against head checks. Your point about motorcycles and cars two lanes over are reasons for making head checks. I’m arguing against the old style of mirror adjustment, which left large (and avoidable) blind spots. The “new” style of adjustment reduces or eliminates blind spots. > [@](#): > > You either need to check the blind spot every time, or you don’t need to at all. It makes no sense to only do it sometimes. A) I don’t have a blind spot, and B) if I haven’t seen another car in 15 minutes, I may not do a head check on the chance that one has dropped down from above the last time I blinked. Different circumstances dictate different practices. If you want to look over your shoulder every single time you change lanes, feel free. I’m a little more flexible, and I don’t think I’m putting myself at significantly more risk by doing so. > [@](#): > > You can not see either outside rear corner of the car AT ALL from the rearview mirror. Cite? I can see the rear corners of both my cars just fine in the rearview mirrors, and I’d suggest that that’s true of most cars on the road today. If you’re driving some land yacht so big you can’t see your corners, then I think I see the source of our disagreement. ---
**Author:** ![lowbrass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dc4da7/32.png) [@lowbrass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lowbrass)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2007, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/74 "2007-02-21T21:29:17Z")
[QUOTE=commasense] Okay, I freely admit that I do not check for pedestrians or bicycles when changing lanes on the freeway. Call me careless! :rolleyes: [/quote] Oh, I didn’t realize you have a matter transporter in your driveway that beams your car directly onto the freeway so that you never have to drive on city streets. Sorry, my mistake. > [@](#): > > To be clear, I’m not arguing against head checks. Then why did you jump in on the discussion between CC and myself regarding his contention that you don’t need to check blind spots? > [@](#): > > Your point about motorcycles and cars two lanes over are reasons for making head checks. I’m arguing against the old style of mirror adjustment, which left large (and avoidable) blind spots. The “new” style of adjustment reduces or eliminates blind spots. I never argued against the alternate mirror settings; I argued against advising other drivers to forego checking their blind spots. > [@](#): > > A) I don’t have a blind spot, and B) if I haven’t seen another car in 15 minutes, I may not do a head check on the chance that one has dropped down from above the last time I blinked. Different circumstances dictate different practices. If you want to look over your shoulder every single time you change lanes, feel free. I’m a little more flexible, and I don’t think I’m putting myself at significantly more risk by doing so. That makes no sense. If you truly believe you have no blind spots, you should believe that you _never_ have to check over your shoulder. You’re relying on “not having seen another car in 15 minutes?” That’s not advisable. What gets drivers in trouble is when they make assumptions. Any experienced driver knows that circumstances can change at any moment, often with no warning. > [@](#): > > Cite? I can see the rear corners of both my cars just fine in the rearview mirrors, and I’d suggest that that’s true of most cars on the road today. If you’re driving some land yacht so big you can’t see your corners, then I think I see the source of our disagreement. What do you mean “cite”? I laid it out clearly and logically. Did you read what I wrote? You do know that light travels in a straight line, don’t you? Did you think your line of vision can travel out the rear window and turn around the corner of the car? ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2007, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/75 "2007-02-21T22:16:02Z")
[QUOTE=lowbrass] Given that special training and a license are required to be a teacher, yes it does. [/QUOTE] Then you must know the commonly accepted definition of an expert: A guy who knows 35 positions to make love but doesn’t have a girlfriend. I’m not really interested in an ongoing argument, but training and licensing don’t guarantee much. 50% of the people trained and licensed in your business finished in the bottom half of their classes. [QUOTE=lowbrass] You must have been a joy to your teachers when you were in school. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] Not sure how you got here, but I’ll claim that most of them liked me, as have most of the students I’ve had over the years. And I’m not quite certain what quality offends you the most, but I often questioned underlying assumptions in school, and have most enjoyed those students who did, as well. ---
**Author:** ![lowbrass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dc4da7/32.png) [@lowbrass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lowbrass)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2007, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/76 "2007-02-21T23:12:51Z")
[QUOTE=CC] 50% of the people trained and licensed in your business finished in the bottom half of their classes. [/quote] Yes, that’s a funny old joke. I don’t know how it’s supposed to support your point. > [@](#): > > Not sure how you got here, but I’ll claim that most of them liked me, as have most of the students I’ve had over the years. And I’m not quite certain what quality offends you the most, but I often questioned underlying assumptions in school, and have most enjoyed those students who did, as well. Well I thought my meaning was clear, but I’ll go into more detail: You seem to have the attitude that the education and training required to become a teacher isn’t valid. That demonstrates a lack of respect for your teachers. I’m sorry, but professional training is more valid than “I read it on the internet.” ---
**Author:** ![rocksolid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@rocksolid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocksolid)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/77 "2007-02-22T01:11:08Z")
Scotsman adding a little European (or at least British) balance to this thread on request! Yes, as a general rule we overtake on the right (your left). We refer to the opposite as ‘undertaking’ and although it’s not illegal it is contrary to the Highway Code and generally frowned upon by police. It’s not a ticketable offence in itself as far as I know but it could be deemed dangerous or careless driving in some circumstances I guess. Exceptions are allowed when traffic is queued, slowing for turns etc. \*\*Raguleader \*\* - We do have motorcycle paramedics but i’d be very surprised to see them using the sidewalk no matter what the circumstances and i’d bet the farm that none have ever ever used stairs! The benefit is simply the ability to weave in and out of stationary traffic when other vehicles would get stuck. \*\*GusNSpot \*\* – Seriously, pedestrians are supposed to face the oncoming traffic? That’s the recommended approach here where there is no sidewalk and you need to walk on the road itself but otherwise that seems bizarre. I leave my house, walk down the road and then realise I’ve forgotten something. I need to cross the road to return? Have I misunderstood you? \*\*GusNSpot \*\* again – I’m slightly confused about the info your State Trooper buddies have given you. In the UK it is illegal to exceed the speed limit no matter what. I’m amazed this was suggested to be a little known fact in this thread, seriously, the word \*limit \* is not clear how? It’s bad etiquette to inch past in the right lane (your left) but as long as you are actually overtaking something on the left it’s legitimate. And if you are actually travelling at the speed limit then anyone you are holding up would be speeding, so legally you aren’t actually holding them up. Bad etiquette, in a nation where speeding seems more socially acceptable than holding people up at the limit, but perfectly legal. It would be illegal to exceed the speed limit in order to not be holding them up. \*\*Yabob \*\* – It’s not unheard of for us to have off ramps and splits on the right (your left) but it’s very much the exception and generally only ever in city areas where there simply isn’t room to build a big sweep round from the left type arrangement. Where there is space there will generally be a left (your right) exit with a fly-over or under-pass back to the right. There really aren’t that many right exits that I have seen, and for both off ramps and splits it’s common for the relevant lane(s) to be denoted as separate from the rest of the carriageway, i.e. overtaking on the left (your right) would be acceptable as it could be viewed as two separate roads. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/78 "2007-02-22T02:12:30Z")
> [@lowbrass](#): > > I never argued against the alternate mirror settings; I argued against advising other drivers to forego checking their blind spots. Okay, so I’m not arguing with you and you’re not arguing with me. So why are we arguing? > [@](#): > > What do you mean “cite”? I laid it out clearly and logically. Did you read what I wrote? You do know that light travels in a straight line, don’t you? Did you think your line of vision can travel out the rear window and turn around the corner of the car? Well, I think we could do without the snarkiness, but you claim that it’s impossible to see the rear corners of a car through the rearview mirror. I counter that, without breaking any laws of physics (or man) I _can_ see them because the designers of the cars I own (and, I assert, many others) have configured the mirrors and the rear windows so as to make this possible. I grant that older cars had narrower rear windows that might have blocked the view of the rear corners, and that this may be the case with your car, which could also explain why you are so concerned about blind spots. But your claim that “You can not see either outside rear corner of the car AT ALL from the rearview mirror,” is simply and flatly wrong in the case of many, many cars. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/79 "2007-02-22T02:17:01Z")
[QUOTE=commasense] As one of the people who advocates the mirror settings criticized in the link in **lowbrass** ’ post, I have to say that I’m not impressed by the arguments on that page. Mainly, he seems to be relying on the “evidence” of that drawing, which I don’t think bears much relation to the reality of most cars’ field of view. I think he’s drawn it to create blind spots where most cars would not have them. Furthermore, the “Car One” drawing (his preferred method) should have significant blind spots to the outside. The key to the proper adjustment of mirrors is that as a car behind and to either side of you moves toward you and out of your center rearview mirror, it should appear in one of your sideview mirrors. By definition this means that you have no blind spot. The old-fashioned method, in which you could see the side of the car in your side view mirrors, duplicated part of the view of the rearview mirror, and in doing so left a blind spot in the 7 or 8 o’clock position, before the other vehicle moved alongside where it would be seen in the driver’s peripheral vision. It was this blind spot that the head turn is supposed to check. The “wide” setting of the sideview mirrors covers that area, and should significantly reduce the need for “shoulder checks.” Of course, all cars are different, and there can be other obstructions, like passengers, large window stickers, etc., as that site points out. But in general, it should be possible to adjust the mirrors of most cars to drastically reduce or eliminate virtually all blind spots. (BTW, I’m a [driving instructor](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=369540), too.) [/QUOTE] I’ve always used the following basic rules, and never had a problem: 1. Adjust side (wing) mirrors so that you can only _just_ see the tiniest sliver of your own car at the inside of them. 2. Adjust interior rear-view mirror to be almost central, but with the slightest skew to the left (right for US and Europe). 3. Know thy mirrors’ limitations and TURN YOUR HEAD. Never had a problem so far. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569/80 "2007-02-22T02:44:57Z")
Unless the vehicles surrounded by the largest vehicle mirrors ever constructed and/or it’s made entirely of glass, how is it even possible for the thing to not have blind spots? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overtake-on-the-left-really/392569.md?page=5)