
Right-turning vehicles must yield to left-turning vehicles. According to Article 52, Item 4 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law": When motor vehicles pass through an intersection without traffic signal control or police command, they shall comply with the following provisions: Right-turning motor vehicles traveling in the opposite direction shall yield to left-turning vehicles. The Right-of-Way Principle: At intersections without traffic signals, yield to vehicles coming from the right. When two vehicles merge into one lane, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right. Situations Where Right-Turning Vehicles Yield to Left-Turning Vehicles: Right-turning motor vehicles traveling in the opposite direction shall yield to left-turning vehicles. This means that during road travel, in principle, vehicles turning right must yield to those turning left. Otherwise, if a traffic accident occurs due to this, the party violating the traffic rules will bear full responsibility.

As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I'd like to point out that there are indeed nuances when making turns at intersections, but the notion that left-turning vehicles must yield to right-turning ones isn't entirely accurate. The fundamental principle of traffic rules is that turning vehicles must yield to vehicles going straight—this is crucial because straight-moving traffic travels faster, and turning vehicles can easily cause collisions. When two vehicles are both turning—one left and one right—there's no strict rule mandating that the left must yield to the right; the right-of-way is determined by position. For example, at an uncontrolled intersection (without traffic signals), the rule is to yield to the vehicle approaching from the right to avoid obstructed sightlines from the left. In real-world driving, I've noticed many beginners misunderstand this, assuming left turns must always yield to right turns, leading to unnecessary delays or even accidents. The key to safe driving lies in observing the big picture: slow down, check mirrors, and ensure the path is clear before proceeding. I also recommend periodically reviewing traffic rules to avoid confusion over such details. Remember, the priority at intersections is straight traffic over turning traffic, and right-positioned vehicles over left, but when turning-direction conflicts are minor, cautious handling suffices.

When I first started learning to drive, the driving school instructor taught us many key points for the road test, including the issue of yielding when turning left and right. The instructor clearly stated that left-turning vehicles do not need to specifically yield to right-turning vehicles, as the rules focus more on the priority between going straight and turning. For example, if I'm turning left at an intersection and a car opposite me is turning right, our turns generally won't conflict because I might enter the left lane while they enter the right lane. However, if there's a car going straight while I'm turning left, I must come to a complete stop and wait. The instructor also shared a real-life case: a student thought left-turning vehicles must yield to right-turning ones and ended up waiting unnecessarily when there were no cars, missing the green light. So my experience is to apply the rules flexibly while driving—slow down and observe, yield to straight-going traffic first, remember that the right side has priority over the left, and don't rigidly memorize incorrect notions like 'left yields to right.' It's always safer to be cautious than to rush and cause an accident. At every intersection, I remind myself to check the rearview mirror and vehicles on both sides more often.

When discussing traffic rules, the misconception that left-turning vehicles must yield to right-turning ones is common, but simply put, it's unnecessary. The essence of the rule is to prioritize straight-moving vehicles because they have less room to maneuver. If conflicts arise between left and right turns, the 'yield to the right' principle applies, but this isn't an absolute rule about turning direction. While driving, prioritize letting straight-moving vehicles pass before handling turns. If the intersection has light traffic, both turning vehicles can proceed simultaneously; however, at busy intersections, it's advisable to slow down and observe. Safety is paramount—don't on a specific sequence that could lead to mistakes. I've witnessed accidents caused by misunderstandings where both parties rushed and collided. It's recommended for beginners to develop cautious habits at intersections: check blind spots, drive slowly, and remember that the rules are fundamentally designed to protect everyone.

I once had a misunderstanding at an intersection. I thought left-turning vehicles must yield to right-turning ones, so I stopped to let a car on my right go first—only to realize it was actually going straight. I was so embarrassed that I ended up delaying the green light. Later, a taxi driver friend explained to me that the rule isn't about left yielding to right—the fundamental principle is that turning vehicles must yield to those going straight. If both cars are turning and entering the same road, the one on the right has priority over the one on the left because the right side offers better visibility and lower collision risk. My friend also shared some tips: Experienced van drivers say left-turning vehicles, due to their larger turning radius, should be extra cautious in yielding to straight or right-turning cars to avoid blind-spot accidents. The takeaway? Driving isn’t about who goes first but about observation and judgment to pass safely. Now, I always slow down at intersections, making sure no straight-moving cars are coming before I proceed, just to avoid any mishaps.

From a safety perspective, it is reasonable to understand that left-turning vehicles should not yield to right-turning vehicles first. Traffic regulations design yielding principles based on avoiding conflict risks: straight-moving vehicles have higher priority due to their faster speed, while turning vehicles can decelerate more easily for control; when turning directions differ between left and right turns, the conflict potential is minimal, thus eliminating the need for direct yielding. However, in reality, if an intersection is congested, left-turning vehicles—due to their longer path—should proactively yield to straight-moving or right-positioned vehicles to reduce collision risks. Having driven for many years, I often observe the misconception where drivers misremember the rule as ‘left yields to right,’ when in essence, the rule prioritizes position and straight movement. My advice while driving: slow down and observe, scan with mirrors, and prioritize safety—this outweighs fixating on yielding sequences. Improper turning is a leading cause of intersection accidents, so practicing cautious driving habits is far more practical.


