At an intersection, does the left yield to the right or the right yield to the left?
3 Answers
Traffic rules specify that the left should yield to the right. Relevant details: 1. Legal basis: According to Article 52 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," when motor vehicles pass through an intersection without traffic signals or police direction, in addition to complying with the provisions of Article 51 (2) and (3), they must also adhere to the following rules: if there are traffic signs or markings, yield to the party with the right of way; if there are no traffic signs or markings, stop and observe before entering the intersection, yielding to vehicles coming from the right. 2. Additional information: In situations where vehicles from both the left and right sides are merging toward the center, the vehicle on the left must yield to the one on the right. This is a safety consideration, as a collision could impact the driver's side of the right-side vehicle. Therefore, the left-side vehicle must yield. Similarly, at an intersection without traffic lights, a vehicle going straight must yield to a vehicle coming from its right side. Failing to do so would result in full liability in the event of a collision.
I've been driving for over 20 years and feel the most important rule at intersections is yielding to the right, especially at places without traffic lights. This means if you're turning left or encountering crossing traffic, you must let vehicles from the right go first. This practice comes from traffic regulations aimed at preventing collisions. Once at a rural intersection, I saw a car speeding from the right and stopped in time to let it pass, avoiding an accident. When driving, don't rush to cut in - observe your surroundings carefully as safe driving should always come first. With complex urban traffic, following the rules helps minimize trouble.
As a new driver, I was always nervous when I first started driving. My instructor repeatedly reminded me that at intersections, left must yield to right. Simply put, when making a left turn, you must watch out for vehicles coming straight from the right and yield to them. The first time I drove alone, I didn’t notice a car coming from the right while turning left at a small intersection. I panicked and hit the brakes, nearly causing an accident. Later, I learned to slow down at intersections, assess the position of oncoming vehicles, and only proceed when I’m sure it’s safe. Driving to and from work every day with this approach, it became much smoother once it became a habit. Don’t be afraid of slowing down for a few seconds—the key is to avoid making mistakes.
