What is the difference between counterflow and overtake? LTO explains

Many accidents on the road occur when drivers decide to counterflow to avoid traffic or overtake vehicles in front of them.

But what is the difference between these two actions?

In an episode of "Alisto," the Land Transportation Office  explained that counterflowing may only be done by emergency vehicles.

"Ang counterflow, lumabas sa lane mo. That means you're moving against the flow of traffic," said LTO Law Enforcement Services Deputy Director Roberto Valera. "Hindi ka babalik agad or mag-me-merge sa iyong pinanggalingan na lane. Hahanapin mo 'yung lane space na puwede kang pumasok na hindi ka na maaabala sa traffic."

Driving against traffic has a penalty of P2,000 fine and three months suspension of license for the first offense, six months suspension for the second offense, and cancellation of license for the third offense.

To overtake, meanwhile, means that the driver is temporarily switching lanes to get ahead of another motorist but eventually returning to the original lane.

"Pero may mga condition 'yan, hindi ka puwedeng mag-overtake pag hindi safe. So usually ang visual requirement niyan is 500 feet na dapat walang kasalubong na sasakyan," Valera said.

He reminded drivers of the meaning of traffic signs and also said it is prohibited to overtake on parts of the road with curves or crest.

"Pag double yellow line, bawal mag-overtake. Tapos kung double white line, unbroken, bawal din mag-overtake," he said. "One single line, unbroken, puwede but you know, mag-overtake ka with caution. Tapos puwede ka mag-overtake kung broken line." —MGP, GMA News