Should You Apply the Brakes When Meeting Another Vehicle?
3 Answers
It is necessary to apply the brakes when meeting another vehicle. Here are the relevant details: Subject 3 requires brake application: There are 7 instances in Subject 3 where you need to apply the brakes—passing through straight intersections, bus stops, pedestrian crossings, school zones, left and right turns, U-turns, and meeting another vehicle. Summary of meeting another vehicle: The key points for meeting another vehicle in Subject 3 are summarized as 'look, calculate, and slow down.' Key points for deductions when meeting another vehicle: On roads without central barriers or center lines, failing to slow down and drive on the right side, or not maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles, pedestrians, or non-motorized vehicles will result in a 100-point deduction. If conditions for meeting another vehicle are insufficient or difficult and you fail to yield, a 100-point deduction will apply. Poor judgment of lateral distance leading to crossing the line or making an emergency maneuver to avoid an oncoming vehicle will also result in a 100-point deduction.
Having driven in mountainous areas for decades, my deepest realization is the importance of tapping the brakes when encountering oncoming traffic. On narrow roads, if you don't slow down when a car approaches from the opposite direction, the distance closes rapidly, which can easily cause psychological tension. Tapping the brakes allows the speed to decrease gradually, typically to around 30 kilometers per hour, while keeping the steering wheel steady. This ensures clear visibility and maintains a safe distance. I remember one time during heavy rain when I didn't tap the brakes and nearly slid off the road—since then, I've made it a habit. In fact, tapping the brakes is a small technique; you don't need to press hard, just a gentle touch on the pedal is enough. It doesn't affect steering and avoids sudden braking that could lead to rear-end collisions. Maintaining a calm mindset is the top priority.
During my driving lessons, the instructor repeatedly emphasized the importance of tapping the brakes to slow down when encountering oncoming traffic. At first, I didn't understand and thought it was unnecessary, but after a few practice sessions, I realized: when a car is coming straight at you, high speed can easily lead to panic. Tapping the brakes helps me naturally reduce speed, allowing better judgment of the other vehicle's position and road width. The instructor said it's like preventing trouble before it happens, especially at night or on rural roads without streetlights—tapping the brakes is safer. Now, after three or four years of driving, I've summarized my own experience: keeping the speed below 40 km/h is generally sufficient; there's no need to brake too hard, as it can actually make the car less stable. Developing this habit can help avoid accidents.
