Should You Slow Down and Yield When Driving Through an Unsignalized Intersection?
3 Answers
When driving through an unsignalized intersection, you should always pay attention to the road conditions and slow down. Here are the relevant introductions: 1. On straight roads: Vehicles should drive according to the designated lanes, and motorcycles should drive in the motorcycle lane. 2. At unsignalized intersections: On roads with marked crosswalks, drivers of 58 Auto vehicles must slow down and pay attention to whether there are pedestrians crossing the crosswalk ahead. 3. Safe distance: At unsignalized intersections, pay attention to the safe distance between vehicles. Turning vehicles should yield to straight-moving vehicles; otherwise, they will obstruct the smooth flow of traffic.
As a seasoned driver with over 20 years of experience, I think this issue is extremely important. Unsignalized intersections are definitely one of the places that require the utmost caution while driving. I've witnessed too many accidents originating from such spots, simply because drivers were too lazy to slow down. Just last week at a suburban intersection, a car suddenly dashed out from the right—if I hadn't slowed down and observed in advance, a collision would have been inevitable. Traffic rules clearly mandate that at such intersections, you must slow down and yield, giving priority to vehicles approaching from the right. Don't think this is trivial; it can prevent rear-end collisions or side scrapes. In my daily driving, I've made it a habit to check the rearview mirror first, then proceed slowly. After all, safety comes first—a few seconds' delay is far better than getting into an accident. Developing this good habit will make your driving much more secure, and when everyone follows the rules, traffic conditions will become smoother.
Back when I was a new driver, my driving instructor kept emphasizing this: when approaching an unlit intersection, you must slow down and yield. I still remember the nervousness during my first practice. The instructor said, 'Ease off the gas when you see an intersection, slow down, look left and right, and let the other vehicle go first if there's one coming.' This rule is simple yet practical—it prevents accidents caused by blind spots. Now, after driving for a few months, I've found this habit has saved me multiple times. For instance, just the other day at a shopping center, an e-bike quietly approached the intersection, but because I slowed down, no incident occurred. The key is to develop the instinct: no matter how rushed you are, never rush through. By the rules, you should generally yield to vehicles on the main road or those coming from the right. After practicing a few times, it becomes second nature, making you a more confident driver.