What principles must be followed when driving a vehicle?
3 Answers
Chapter 4, Article 35 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" stipulates that motor vehicles and non-motor vehicles shall drive on the right side. The so-called right-side driving means driving on the right side of the road in the direction of travel. This is the basic principle that motor vehicles and non-motor vehicles should follow when driving on the road. Motor vehicle drivers must comply with the following regulations: 1. Regulation 1: When driving a vehicle, you must carry a driver's license and vehicle license. It is not allowed to lend, alter, or forge the driver's license, nor to hand the vehicle over to someone without a driver's license, nor to drive a vehicle that does not match the type permitted by the driver's license. 2. Regulation 2: Those who have not undergone the required inspection or have failed the inspection are not allowed to continue driving. It is not allowed to drive after drinking alcohol, nor to drive a vehicle with incomplete safety equipment or mechanical failure, nor to drive a vehicle that does not comply with loading regulations. 3. Regulation 3: It is not allowed to drive when suffering from a disease that hinders safe driving or when excessively fatigued. Drivers and passengers of two-wheeled motorcycles must wear safety helmets. It is not allowed to drive when the doors or compartments are not properly closed, nor to drive in slippers, nor to smoke, eat, chat, or engage in any other behavior that hinders safe driving while driving. 4. Regulation 4: When a vehicle approaches a pedestrian crossing and there are pedestrians crossing, the vehicle must stop or slow down to yield.
Driving must always prioritize safety first. Having driven this road for over twenty years, my deepest realization is that cars can be replaced, but life cannot. Every time I grip the steering wheel, I stay vigilant about safety. Strictly following traffic rules is just the baseline—what matters more is developing defensive driving habits: maintaining sufficient following distance to prevent rear-end collisions, slowing down and preparing to brake at intersections to avoid sudden pedestrian crossings, and using fog lights and reducing speed in bad weather to ensure visibility. During a heavy rainstorm last time, it was the three-second following distance that helped me avoid a skidding accident. So never overestimate your driving skills. Extra caution is needed when driving with children—never compromise on child seats and seat belts, and avoid keeping sharp objects inside the car. Vehicle maintenance is also crucial. I check tire pressure and brake lights monthly and replace worn-out parts promptly. As my doctor friend says, safe driving is the greatest responsibility to your family.
I still remember what my driving instructor said when I first got my license: The most important thing about driving is to be lawful and compliant—it's about being responsible to everyone. Now, before every drive, I check two things: whether my seatbelt is fastened and if my phone is on silent. Distracted driving increases the risk of accidents by four times. I adhere to the 'three-yield' principle in daily driving: yield to pedestrians, yield to non-motorized vehicles, and yield to emergency vehicles. I always slow down before crosswalks and pull over promptly when hearing ambulance sirens. I never change lanes without signaling and checking mirrors—nothing annoys me more than sudden lane cutters. I also keep a reflective vest and warning triangle in my car at all times; they once helped me safely evacuate after a tire blowout on the highway. A special reminder: never underestimate drowsy driving. On long trips, I make it a rule to take a break at service areas every two hours. Following the rules means protecting yourself—getting a ticket is trivial compared to the regret of causing an accident.
