What does the mnemonic rhyme 'left yields to right, turning yields to going straight' mean?
4 Answers
The mnemonic 'right turn yields to left turn, left turn yields to going straight' is a traffic yielding rule, meaning that when driving, right-turning vehicles must yield to left-turning vehicles, and when turning left, left-turning vehicles must yield to vehicles going straight. According to Article 51 of the 'Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China', motor vehicles passing through intersections controlled by traffic signals shall follow these rules: 1. Designated lanes: At intersections with designated lanes, enter the lane corresponding to the intended direction of travel. 2. Roundabouts: Vehicles preparing to enter a roundabout must yield to vehicles already inside the roundabout. 3. Left turns: When turning left, turn from the left side of the intersection center point. Use turn signals when turning, and low beams when driving at night. 4. Green light: When encountering a green light, proceed in order. 5. Red light: When encountering a red light, stop in order behind the stop line. If there is no stop line, stop before the intersection. 6. Right turns: When turning right and encountering a vehicle in the same lane waiting for a green light, stop and wait in order. 7. No traffic signals: At intersections without directional traffic signals, turning vehicles must yield to vehicles and pedestrians going straight. Right-turning vehicles from the opposite direction must yield to left-turning vehicles.
I've been driving for many years and often come across this catchy phrase at intersections: 'Left yields to right, turning yields to going straight.' It's concise and practical. It means that at intersections without traffic signals, left-turning vehicles should yield to right-turning vehicles because right turns generally don't affect the main road and are smoother. Turning vehicles must yield to vehicles going straight because straight-moving vehicles are faster and harder to slow down; forcing a turn can easily lead to collisions or rear-end accidents. I always remind myself that following this rule can greatly improve traffic efficiency and reduce accidents. For example, at a crossroad, if I'm turning left, I'll actively wait for right-turning vehicles to go first; if I'm turning and encounter a vehicle going straight, I'll stop and signal them to go ahead to avoid conflicts. This stems from the core of traffic regulations, ensuring safety for all parties, and applies to both new and experienced drivers.
When I first started learning to drive, my instructor taught me the rhyme 'Left yields to right, turning yields to going straight' to quickly grasp the right-of-way logic. Its meaning is simple: at intersections, left-turning vehicles must yield to right-turning ones, and turning vehicles must yield to those going straight. This was especially crucial for me as a beginner to avoid misjudging rules and causing hazards—for example, a straight-moving car forced to brake suddenly might lose control, whereas a turning car can easily wait. After mastering it, I found my driving became safer and more confident. It's not just a slogan—it reflects road design principles that ensure smooth traffic flow and minimize conflict points. With practice, it becomes second nature.
Remember the rule 'left yields to right, turning yields to going straight' – its core meaning is to clarify right-of-way and ensure traffic safety. Straight-moving vehicles have higher priority because of their speed and collision risk, so turning vehicles must slow down and yield. Similarly, right turns have priority over left turns to reduce conflict points. When I drive, I always follow this principle, especially at busy intersections – it effectively prevents most accident risks in a simple way.
