What are the criteria for determining whether motor vehicle drivers yield to pedestrians at crosswalks?
4 Answers
Motor vehicle drivers yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks and the relevant legal regulations are as follows. At crosswalks without traffic signals, drivers should yield to pedestrians when they are crossing. Failure to do so may result in fines and penalty points. Even at crosswalks with traffic signals, drivers must yield to pedestrians, even if the pedestrians are crossing against the red light. As motor vehicle drivers, they should comply with regulations and slow down in advance when approaching a crosswalk, regardless of whether pedestrians are crossing, and proceed through the intersection at a safe speed. When vehicles are permitted to turn and pedestrians are crossing, turning motor vehicles must not obstruct pedestrians. According to Article 47 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, motor vehicles should slow down when approaching a crosswalk and must stop to yield if pedestrians are crossing. On roads without traffic signals, motor vehicles must give way to pedestrians crossing the road.
I've been driving a taxi for ten years, and the criteria for yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks are quite straightforward. Specifically, traffic laws stipulate that when drivers see pedestrians crossing or about to enter the crosswalk in the designated area, they must immediately stop or slow down to a safe speed and wait until the pedestrian has completely passed before proceeding. Don’t underestimate this rule—I’ve learned from experience that if a driver fails to slow down or isn’t paying attention, the cameras will catch it, resulting in a 200-yuan fine and three demerit points. More importantly, pedestrian safety is paramount, especially during rainy days or rush hours when people walk slower, requiring drivers to be even more patient. I’ve developed the habit of slowing down 100 meters in advance, scanning both sides of the crosswalk, and confirming no one is there before proceeding. This helps avoid accidents and injuries, making the drive smoother and more pleasant for everyone.
As a father of two, I'm particularly concerned about road safety. The judgment of yielding at crosswalks boils down to whether the driver proactively stops. For example, if a pedestrian has one foot on the crosswalk, you must stop your vehicle and not rush forward; if pedestrians are in the middle of crossing and you squeeze in to compete for space, that's definitely a violation. Last year, I encountered a situation while dropping my kids off at school—I slowed down at an intersection to let pedestrians cross, and the surveillance camera captured it, earning me positive recognition. If a driver fails to stop, not only could they face fines, but accidents may occur, especially since elderly people and children move more slowly. When driving, I always teach my kids to be careful when walking too, because mutual courtesy makes society more harmonious.
I often walk to work, and it's really scary when drivers don't yield at crosswalks. The judging criteria are simple: traffic police check whether the driver has slowed down and come to a complete stop. If pedestrians have already entered the crosswalk, vehicles should stop; if the pedestrian is about to reach the intersection and the driver still speeds up to pass, then the driver will be penalized for failing to yield. Once, I was almost hit by a car because the driver didn't slow down and was fined. Safety comes first—drivers behaving this way can prevent accidents and make urban traffic more civilized. When I drive myself, I also pay attention to this and avoid rushing.
