When two lanes merge, does the left yield to the right or the right yield to the left?
2 Answers
When two vehicles merge lanes simultaneously, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right. If a scrape occurs accidentally, the left vehicle will bear full responsibility. Below is an introduction to whether the left yields to the right or the right yields to the left when changing lanes simultaneously: 1. Both vehicles go straight, yield to the right first: At an intersection, when both vehicles intend to go straight without traffic signals, simultaneous straight movement is very dangerous. Therefore, the "yield to the right principle" is designated, allowing the right vehicle to go straight first. This principle applies not only at intersections but also when vehicles on the left and right sides merge into the same lane simultaneously—the right vehicle should be allowed to change lanes first. 2. Right-turning vehicles yield to straight-going vehicles first: Right turns are usually not controlled by traffic lights, and the traffic flow in the opposite direction going straight is greater than that of right-turning vehicles. To ensure traffic efficiency, right-turning vehicles must yield to straight-going vehicles first. At intersections without traffic signals, both left and right turns must yield to straight-going vehicles. 3. Right-turning vehicles yield to left-turning vehicles first: Whether at intersections with or without traffic signals, right-turning vehicles must yield to left-turning vehicles first.
I often encounter situations where two cars merge lanes while driving, especially on highways or major urban roads. As someone with some driving experience, the rule I learned is that the vehicle on the left should yield to the one on the right, known as the 'left yields to right' principle. This is because the vehicle on the right usually has the right of way, as its position in the main lane is more stable. Forcing a merge can easily lead to rear-end collisions or side swipes. I remember once when I was rushing to work and didn’t yield to a large truck on the right, resulting in a minor collision—a lesson I won’t forget. Now, I always signal early and check the right-side blind spot, preferring to slow down and yield for safety. Courtesy in driving isn’t weakness; it’s about protecting yourself and others. I recommend new drivers pay more attention to road signs and driving norms to avoid dangerous sudden acceleration or forced lane changes.
