Should the downhill vehicle yield to the uphill vehicle on a narrow ramp?
3 Answers
On a narrow ramp, the downhill vehicle should yield to the uphill vehicle. Below is an introduction to hill-start parking: Concept: Hill-start parking is a key assessment point in driver's license tests. Test Requirements: The test requires parking at a fixed position on a slope with a gradient ≥10% and a length ≥30 meters, examining the coordination of steering, braking, and clutch operation. The aim is to train drivers to accurately judge the vehicle's position and correctly use the brake, gear, and clutch to meet the needs of parking and starting on uphill sections. Operation: Upon hearing the instruction for "hill-start parking," immediately turn on the right turn signal and steer the vehicle towards the right side of the road. As the vehicle approaches the roadside, slightly turn the steering wheel to the left, then quickly correct it to the right to align the vehicle parallel to the roadside, maintaining a distance within 50cm (using the white line of the parking spot ahead as a reference, without crossing the white line).
I've been driving for over a decade with extensive experience in mountainous areas, so I'm quite familiar with this kind of slope situation. On narrow slopes, downhill vehicles should indeed yield to uphill vehicles—it's basic traffic knowledge and rules. Once an uphill vehicle stops, restarting is particularly difficult, especially for manual transmission cars which are prone to rolling back and causing accidents. I remember one time on a narrow mountain road, I proactively yielded to an uphill truck, avoiding a potential collision. Safety comes first—downhill vehicles should preferably pull over at a safe spot or reverse to a wider area, using lights to signal the other party. This not only reduces congestion but also demonstrates civilized driving etiquette. Making this a habit in daily driving can save a lot of trouble.
Speaking of this, I encountered a similar situation right after buying my car. On narrow slopes, downhill vehicles must yield to uphill vehicles because uphill cars require more power to start, and any slight mistake could cause them to roll back. As an ordinary car owner, I find this rule very reasonable. Once, I was blocked while going uphill and almost slid backward, but fortunately, a kind driver let me pass. Since then, when I drive, I slow down in advance on slopes to leave space for uphill vehicles. From a safety perspective, this reduces the risk of rear-end collisions. I recommend that beginners practice yielding on slopes more, use horns or hand signals to communicate, and stay patient without rushing to overtake.
