Which Side Should You Walk On When Crossing the Road in China?
4 Answers
When crossing the road in China, you should keep to the right. Below are the specific right-side principles and precautions for driving: Keep to the right when crossing the road: In China, you should keep to the right when crossing the road, as the country follows the right-hand traffic principle. Generally, the leftmost lane at intersections is designated for left turns, so vehicles going straight should use the right lanes. Things to note while driving: It's better to stop for three minutes than to rush for one second, especially for novice drivers. Slow down when the light turns yellow, and stop immediately at red lights. Do not accelerate to rush through intersections when the light turns yellow. Many accidents at traffic lights occur during the three-second transition between lights. For your safety and that of others, please strictly adhere to traffic rules.
I believe walking on the right side when crossing the road is a fundamental safety rule in China, stemming from road design principles: vehicles drive on the right, so pedestrians keeping right aligns with traffic flow, reducing head-on collision risks. For instance, at busy intersections, staying right helps avoid conflicts with left-turning vehicles; walking on the left means going against traffic, significantly increasing accident risks. As a pedestrian, I naturally keep right and remind family and friends to do the same. When crossing roads, I combine this with other safety measures like using crosswalks, waiting for green lights, and avoiding phone use. Since adopting this habit, my accident risk has noticeably decreased—it's a practice everyone should follow for self-protection.
From my observation of traffic rules, walking on the right side when crossing the street is mandatory in China. According to Chinese traffic regulations, pedestrians should walk on the right side of the road, especially when sidewalks are absent. Since vehicles drive on the right, pedestrians keeping to the right has become an unspoken rule that maintains road order; otherwise, it can easily lead to congestion or accidents, such as jaywalking causing sudden braking and rear-end collisions. As someone who cares about safety, I always emphasize: stick to the right side; use crosswalks and obey traffic signals; wear reflective clothing at night or in rainy/foggy conditions to increase visibility. These simple steps can make travel much safer.
As an ordinary pedestrian, I believe walking on the right side when crossing the road is safest in China. The reason is simple: vehicles drive on the right. If you walk on the same side, you can clearly see cars approaching from behind. Walking on the left creates counterflow, increasing collision risks. I have personal experience: once while walking on the left, an electric scooter suddenly rushed from the left and nearly caused an accident. Since then, I've switched to walking on the right. When crossing streets, I also use zebra crossings and wait for green lights, avoiding phone distractions. After developing these habits, I feel more confident on the road with significantly reduced risks.
