Should Vehicles Yield to Pedestrians or Vice Versa?
2 Answers
Legally, vehicles must yield to pedestrians. When motor vehicles approach a crosswalk, they should slow down; if pedestrians are crossing, the vehicle must stop and yield. Below is relevant information about road traffic regulations: 1. Regulation: Article 46 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law Implementation Regulations" states that when driving on icy or muddy roads, the maximum speed of a motor vehicle must not exceed 30 kilometers per hour. 2. Dangers of Speeding: When speeding, drivers cannot fully and accurately perceive changes inside and outside the vehicle. For example, at 50 kilometers per hour, a car moves 1.39 meters in 0.1 seconds, and objects outside the window pass by in a flash. It takes about 0.4 seconds for a person to sense a target within their field of vision and an average of 1 second to clearly see it. If the speed is too high, it becomes difficult to gather sufficient road information, increasing the risk of traffic accidents.
As a driving enthusiast who commutes in the city daily, I'm most afraid of pedestrians suddenly darting out. I've developed a habit of braking and slowing down near crosswalks while constantly scanning both sidewalks. The law clearly states that motor vehicles must yield to pedestrians - last year I got 3 points deducted and a fine for failing to yield at an intersection. But honestly, pedestrians should follow rules too. Some people cross slowly while glued to their phones, or suddenly dash out during red lights, forcing drivers to slam on the brakes - I've nearly rear-ended cars several times. My suggestion is mutual understanding: drivers should start slowing down and observing 200 meters in advance, while pedestrians should avoid being phone zombies and check traffic signals properly. This way everyone stays safe.
