Should Large Vehicles Yield to Cars or Vice Versa?
2 Answers
Under the premise that both parties follow traffic rules, large vehicles should yield to smaller cars. Note that private cars are considered large vehicles here. On roads without dedicated bicycle lanes, large vehicles must yield to pedestrians, bicycles, and electric scooters. Even if a car violates traffic rules (e.g., running a red light), the large vehicle may still bear minor responsibility if it fails to make sufficient effort to avoid the collision. Relevant regulations: On roads with two or more motor vehicle lanes in the same direction, the left lane is designated as the fast lane, and the right lane as the slow lane. Vehicles in the fast lane should maintain the prescribed speed; those unable to do so should move to the slow lane. While there is no explicit rule stating that large vehicles must yield to cars, given their higher risk factor, the principle of 'the party posing greater danger bears greater responsibility' provides legal justification for assigning more liability to large vehicles in accidents with cars. Traffic police should determine liability based on the actual causes of the accident when handling cases. Vehicle priority hierarchy: Among large vehicles, emergency vehicles (military, medical, firefighting, police) have the highest priority, followed by buses and coaches carrying many passengers, then more agile private cars and taxis, and finally commercial trucks, cranes, and other engineering vehicles.
I've been driving for over 20 years, and when I see this kind of question, I want to explain it clearly. There's no absolute rule about who should yield between large vehicles and small cars—it all depends on who has the right of way. Back when I drove trucks on the highway, the blind spots were enormous. If a small car squeezed in, we drivers couldn't see it at all, which could easily lead to an accident. In the city, at intersections without traffic lights, small cars should yield to large vehicles because trucks brake slower and have a wider turning radius. Safety comes first. My wife always worries about my driving, so she taught me not to cut in and to maintain a safe distance. When I encounter a large vehicle on the road, I proactively slow down and yield. I also remind my friends not to drive alongside big trucks—if they suddenly change lanes, you're in trouble. Following traffic rules is basic. Whoever violates them ends up paying fines or in the hospital. Everyone should stay sharp.