Is it correct for straight-going vehicles to yield to left-turning vehicles?
4 Answers
According to the revised 'Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China' on October 7, 2017, left-turning vehicles must yield to straight-going vehicles. The 'Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China' stipulate: 1. Article 51: When motor vehicles pass through intersections controlled by traffic signals, they shall proceed in accordance with the following provisions: 2. Item 7: At intersections without directional signal lights, turning motor vehicles shall yield to straight-going vehicles and pedestrians. Right-turning motor vehicles traveling in the opposite direction shall yield to left-turning vehicles. 3. Article 52: When motor vehicles pass through intersections without traffic signal control or traffic police direction, in addition to complying with the provisions of Items 2 and 3 of Article 51, they shall also comply with Item 3: Turning motor vehicles shall yield to straight-going vehicles.
Yielding to left-turning vehicles when going straight is usually not the correct practice, as traffic rules clearly give priority to straight-moving vehicles. When I first started driving, I didn't understand this well either—until one time at an intersection when I insisted on going straight and nearly collided with a left-turning car, which scared me to death. After that incident, I checked the driving manual and confirmed that straight-moving vehicles indeed have the right of way, while turning vehicles must first observe and ensure safety before making their turn. However, in actual driving situations, especially at un-signalized intersections with poor visibility like during rainy nights, yielding to a left-turning vehicle might actually be safer. This isn't to encourage reckless yielding but to emphasize that safety comes first. As drivers, we must assess specific conditions: traffic volume, road width, etc. Developing the habit of slowing down and observing can prevent most accidents. While adhering to rules is fundamental, it's wiser to proactively yield and protect yourself when others make incorrect turns. In short, rules are the foundation, but safety is the ultimate truth.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I believe that straight-through traffic has the right of way as a fundamental principle, and there's no need to actively yield to left-turning vehicles. Turning vehicles should yield to you. However, in real life, there are always those who don't follow the rules, such as at congested intersections where left-turning vehicles block the way, affecting the entire road's flow. In such cases, if conditions permit, yielding once can help clear the traffic and get everyone moving faster. I've seen many similar situations where yielding once avoids arguments and is more efficient. Of course, this depends on the context: you should never yield arbitrarily on highway main lanes, but on small streets or in residential areas, there's more flexibility. I recommend drivers practice their judgment more—understand the rules but know when to be flexible. The rule that turning vehicles must yield to straight-through traffic exists to protect the smooth flow of straight-through traffic. Don't let small misunderstandings lead to big problems; the core of safe driving is anticipating risks.
In standard traffic rules, the notion that straight-going vehicles yield to left-turning ones is inaccurate; turning vehicles should yield to those going straight. This principle enhances intersection efficiency and reduces collision risks. For instance, at an unsignalized intersection, turning vehicles must stop and wait for straight-moving traffic to pass. If a straight-going vehicle yields unnecessarily, it may lead to rear-end collisions or other misunderstandings. Remember the priority sequence while driving: straight movement takes precedence over left turns, which in turn take precedence over right turns. However, driving is a dynamic process requiring real-time adjustments—for example, if another driver suddenly turns, you must react defensively. Adhering to rules forms the foundation of safety, and everyone should understand basic yielding priorities. Regularly check surroundings via rearview mirrors to prioritize safety above all.
