What does 'right turn yields to left turn, left turn yields to straight' mean?
4 Answers
Right turn yields to left turn means that during road navigation, vehicles turning right should generally give way to those turning left. In case of a traffic accident, the party violating this rule bears full responsibility. Left turn yields to straight means that vehicles turning left should generally yield to those going straight, adhering to the principle of convenience. If an accident occurs, the left-turning vehicle assumes full liability. The Road Traffic Safety Implementation Regulations clearly stipulate that at uncontrolled intersections (no traffic lights or police direction), when vehicles approach from opposite directions: right-turning motor vehicles must yield to left-turning vehicles; when both proceed straight, the 'yield-to-the-right' principle applies; turning vehicles must always yield to straight-moving traffic.
I've always heard my driving instructor say 'yield to left turns when turning right, and yield to straight traffic when turning left.' It essentially means the right-of-way rules at intersections. Simply put, when you're driving to an intersection and want to turn right, if there's a car making a left turn from the opposite direction, you have to stop and let the left-turning vehicle go first to avoid a collision during your right turn. Conversely, when you're turning left, if there's oncoming straight traffic, you must also stop and yield to ensure the straight-moving vehicles pass safely. This is a fundamental traffic rule with one purpose: to prevent accidents and ensure safety. For example, last week when I was making a right turn at a neighborhood intersection, I almost collided with a left-turning delivery van because I forgot to yield—it gave me quite a scare. This rule is especially practical at intersections without traffic lights, as it helps maintain orderly traffic. Remembering it in daily driving can save you a lot of trouble.
Having driven for many years, I've summarized the core of this rule in two words: yield. Right turns yield to left turns, meaning if you're turning right, you must actively give way to vehicles turning left; left turns yield to straight traffic, indicating that left-turning vehicles must stop and wait for straight-moving vehicles to pass before proceeding. This set of rules may seem simple, but its impact is significant. For example, at an intersection, if you don't yield to straight-moving traffic while turning left, it can cause minor traffic jams at best or lead to collisions and serious trouble at worst. When teaching friends to drive, I always emphasize: driving isn't about speed, it's about who understands courtesy better. These rules are especially useful during rush hours, preventing 90% of conflicts. Ultimately, safety comes first when driving—waiting a bit longer is always better than getting into an accident.
I remember when I was learning to drive, this rule was clearly explained: yield to left-turning vehicles when turning right, and yield to straight-going vehicles when turning left. This means right-turning vehicles should give way to left-turning ones, and left-turning vehicles should in turn yield to those going straight. The essence is to prevent vehicles from competing for space at intersections and causing trouble. For example, when you're making a left turn at an intersection without traffic lights, if a car is coming straight towards you, you must stop and let it pass first. Otherwise, both cars might end up stuck, unable to move. The rule isn't hard to remember; the key is to make it a habit. In actual driving, applying this rule more often makes the road smoother for everyone.
