Should the Downhill Vehicle Yield to the Uphill Vehicle?
3 Answers
Which vehicle should yield on a slope depends on the actual situation. According to Article 48 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law," the following rules apply: 1. Uphill vehicle has the right of way: On narrow slopes, the vehicle going uphill has the right of way. 2. Downhill vehicle has the right of way: If the downhill vehicle has already reached the middle of the slope while the uphill vehicle has not yet started ascending, the downhill vehicle has the right of way. Below are the yielding rules when encountering oncoming traffic on roads without central barriers or centerlines: (1) Obstruction on the road: On obstructed sections, the vehicle without obstruction has the right of way; if the obstructed vehicle has already entered the obstructed section while the unobstructed vehicle has not, the obstructed vehicle has the right of way. (2) Narrow mountain roads: On narrow mountain roads, the vehicle not adjacent to the mountainside has the right of way. (3) Pedestrians present: Regarding yielding to pedestrians, vehicles should slow down when approaching crosswalks; if pedestrians are crossing, vehicles must stop and yield. On roads without traffic signals, vehicles must yield to pedestrians crossing the road. (4) Narrow slopes: On narrow slopes, the uphill vehicle has the right of way; if the downhill vehicle has already reached the middle of the slope while the uphill vehicle has not yet started ascending, the downhill vehicle has the right of way.
This rule really resonates with me! Having driven mountain roads for twenty years, yielding downhill to uphill traffic is absolutely crucial for safety. Think about it—if an uphill vehicle has to stop for you, especially a fully loaded truck, the risk of rear-wheel slippage when restarting is particularly high. Last year, I witnessed an uphill vehicle forced to stop and then roll back over ten meters, crashing straight into the guardrail. For us downhill drivers, tapping the brakes is easy, and engine braking can keep us steady. But be aware that not all sections are suitable for yielding, like sharp curves on two-way single lanes—check the shoulder width before stopping. Extra caution is needed in rainy weather, as muddy slopes are more prone to slipping. The safest approach is to slow down at least thirty meters ahead when spotting an uphill vehicle. Ultimately, it’s about putting yourself in their shoes—we’d all appreciate the courtesy when we’re the ones climbing!
I remember my driving instructor specifically emphasized that downhill vehicles must yield to uphill vehicles. The core principle is simple: uphill vehicles have a harder time converting gravitational potential energy, especially manual transmission cars stopping mid-slope, where restarting can easily burn the clutch. Downhill vehicles, with greater inertia, are easier to control. In practice, I've developed the habit of immediately turning on the right turn signal and pulling over when seeing an uphill vehicle on a narrow slope. If driving on mountain roads at night, flash the high beams twice in advance to alert the other driver. However, I must remind beginners that on long downhill sections, it's best to shift to a lower gear and not rely solely on braking. Last week, while driving my manual transmission SUV uphill, a kind driver yielded at a platform, which felt especially heartwarming!
