Should You Slow Down and Yield When Driving Through an Unsignalized Intersection?
2 Answers
When passing through an intersection without traffic signals, traffic signs, traffic markings, or traffic police directing traffic, you should slow down and yield to pedestrians and vehicles with the right of way. When crossing a road at an intersection without traffic signals or a crosswalk, or at a section without pedestrian facilities, you should proceed only after confirming it is safe. Below is an introduction to the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China": 1. Article 46: When a motor vehicle passes through a railway crossing, it should proceed according to traffic signals or the instructions of management personnel; if there are no traffic signals or management personnel, the vehicle should slow down or stop and proceed only after confirming safety. 2. Article 47: When a motor vehicle approaches a crosswalk, it should slow down; if pedestrians are crossing, the vehicle must stop and yield. When driving on a road without traffic signals and encountering pedestrians crossing, the vehicle should give way.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, un-signalized intersections are definitely the places where I exercise the utmost caution while driving. I habitually reduce my speed to below 20 kilometers per hour or come to a complete stop, carefully observing the situation on both sides first. Intersections often have blind spots or the danger of pedestrians crossing unexpectedly. If there's a vehicle on the right, yielding according to traffic rules is crucial. When visibility is poor, it's better to wait a few extra seconds rather than risk rushing through. I once nearly rear-ended someone because they didn't yield, a lesson that taught me how slowing down can save lives. I recommend making this a habit, along with a quick honk or flashing headlights to signal, which can significantly reduce the risk of accidents, especially at night or in rainy or foggy conditions when visibility is poor—driving slowly is the safest approach.
