When can a driver safely return to the right-hand lane after overtaking another vehicle on a two-lane road?

The correct response emphasizes the importance of ensuring a safe distance between vehicles before returning to the right-hand lane after overtaking. The act of checking the rearview mirror allows the driver to confirm that the overtaken vehicle is sufficiently far behind, indicating that it is safe to merge back into the original lane.

This practice is essential for maintaining road safety; visibility ensures that drivers do not cut off the overtaken vehicle, which could lead to an accident. Simply relying on the other vehicle being out of sight or on auditory signals, such as honking, is not a reliable method for ensuring safety, as sounds can vary greatly in how they are perceived. Additionally, waiting for a specific amount of time, such as five seconds, does not necessarily correlate with the appropriate distance needed for safe merging. Thus, visual confirmation through the rearview mirror is the most reliable indicator that it is safe to return to the right-hand lane.