Should You Slow Down and Yield When Driving Through an Unsignalized Intersection?
3 Answers
Driving through an unsignalized intersection requires slowing down and yielding. The specific guidelines are as follows: 1. Look, slow down, then proceed: When driving through an intersection without traffic signals, you should slow down within 50-100 meters of the intersection. Upon reaching the intersection, carefully observe the traffic conditions on both sides, slow down or stop to look around, following the principle of "look, slow down, then proceed." Vehicles going straight have the right of way. If there is a stop sign at the intersection, come to a complete stop, observe the main road conditions, and proceed only after confirming safety. 2. Passing through unsignalized intersections at night: When driving through an unsignalized intersection at night, you should alternate between high and low beams. When passing through sharp curves, slopes, arched bridges, crosswalks, or unsignalized intersections at night, vehicles must alternate their headlights between high and low beams as a signal. At intersections, switching between high and low beams is necessary to alert vehicles on either side.
I've been driving for over 30 years, and every time I approach an intersection without traffic lights, I instinctively slow down to observe the traffic from both sides. You never know when a vehicle might suddenly appear from any direction, especially when dealing with blind spots or poor visibility during rainy weather. Slowing down to yield is a fundamental safety measure—it gives you extra reaction time to assess the situation and prevents reckless rushing that could lead to accidents. I remember over a decade ago, it was precisely because I slowed down that I avoided a motorcycle that darted out unexpectedly. That lesson was deeply ingrained in my memory. While traffic regulations don’t specify an exact speed, experience teaches us to reduce to around 20-30 km/h while scanning every corner of the intersection. Developing this habit is a responsibility to everyone on the road and a way to protect your own life.
As a newly licensed driver, I was initially quite confused about intersections without traffic lights. My instructor repeatedly emphasized slowing down and yielding, and at the time, I didn't understand why I couldn't just speed through. It wasn't until I experienced a few close calls while driving myself that I got it. Slowing down allows you to see left and right more clearly, especially in chaotic traffic areas like old urban districts or rural roads where cyclists or pedestrians might suddenly appear—at high speeds, you simply can't stop in time. Now I realize that driving slower also relaxes my mindset, making it easier to make safe decisions. Ultimately, it's not just about following rules but also about everyday safety. Spending a few extra seconds to slow down reduces collision risks by 99%—totally worth it.
