What are the principles of yielding when turning?
2 Answers
The principles of yielding when turning include yielding to straight-moving vehicles and right-turning vehicles yielding to left-turning vehicles. Additionally, drivers must follow three other principles: yielding to the right, yielding the borrowed lane to the original lane, and yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks. Yielding to straight-moving vehicles: During road travel, vehicles turning left (or right) should generally yield to vehicles going straight. Since straight-moving vehicles travel faster with heavier traffic flow while turning vehicles move slower with relatively lighter traffic, yielding to straight-moving vehicles helps reduce road congestion and traffic accidents. Right-turning vehicles yielding to left-turning vehicles: For vehicles traveling in opposite directions where one turns right and the other turns left into the same intersection, the right-turning vehicle must yield to the left-turning vehicle. This is because left-turning vehicles have a longer travel path. If the right-turning vehicle fails to yield, the left-turning vehicle would be forced to stop at the intersection, severely disrupting normal traffic flow. In case of a collision, the right-turning vehicle would bear full responsibility. Yielding to the right: At intersections without traffic signs or markings where two vehicles approach from crossing directions both going straight, the vehicle from the left must yield to the one from the right. This is because, from the driver's perspective, the left side is closer and obstructs more of the view, making it easier for the left-side driver to spot the right-side vehicle earlier, hence the right-side vehicle should be given the right of way. Yielding the borrowed lane to the original lane: When encountering an obstacle requiring lane borrowing, the vehicle borrowing the lane must yield to vehicles in the unobstructed lane. However, if the obstructed vehicle has already halfway entered the lane, the unobstructed vehicle should slow down or stop to yield. Yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks: Drivers must stop and yield when pedestrians are crossing at marked crosswalks. Failure to yield to pedestrians crossing at crosswalks results in a 3-point penalty and a fine. If pedestrians hesitate to cross after being yielded to, drivers may wave to signal them to proceed first.
In my over two decades of driving, the principle of yielding when turning has become second nature. The basic rule is that turning vehicles must yield to vehicles going straight, especially when making a left turn, as you need to cross the opposite lane and should never rush. For example, at an intersection without traffic lights, I always stop first to observe the movement of oncoming straight-going vehicles and proceed only when it's safe; right turns are relatively simpler but still require yielding to pedestrians first. Once during rush hour in the city, as I was about to make a left turn, I noticed a straight-going car speeding towards me and decisively slowed down to yield, avoiding a collision that could have had serious consequences. This principle not only adheres to road fairness but also relates to overall traffic safety—yielding can make traffic flow smoother and reduce the risk of congestion and accidents. Extra tip: Don’t forget to use your turn signals in advance to indicate your intentions, allowing other drivers and pedestrians to anticipate your actions and enhance safety. After developing this habit, driving becomes much less stressful, and you gain more confidence. In short, a little more patience means a lot less danger, and together we can maintain good road order.
