Which Vehicle Has the Right of Way When Meeting on a Narrow Slope?
3 Answers
On a narrow slope, the vehicle going uphill has the right of way. Relevant legal provisions: Article 48 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law": On a narrow slope, the vehicle going uphill has the right of way; however, if the vehicle going downhill has already reached the middle of the slope while the vehicle going uphill has not yet started the ascent, the vehicle going downhill has the right of way. Reasons for uphill vehicles having the right of way: Because the uphill vehicle must overcome the resistance of the slope, it needs to increase the throttle to make the engine produce more power and traction. Generally, it must complete the climbing process in one go. If it slows down or stops midway, it will increase the difficulty and may even cause the vehicle to roll backward, leading to an accident.
To be honest, I always feel a bit nervous when driving on narrow slopes and encountering oncoming vehicles. Back when I was a beginner, my instructor taught me that downhill vehicles must yield to uphill vehicles because uphill cars are prone to rolling back or losing control when they lack sufficient power, which poses a high risk. Once, I almost collided with an oncoming vehicle while going downhill, but I quickly gave way to avoid an accident. Now it's become a habit for me: whenever I see an uphill vehicle approaching, I proactively slow down and pull over to the side, giving enough space for the other party to pass first. I also want to remind everyone to control your speed—don’t go too fast—and maintain a safe distance, as emergency braking on a slope can cause wheel slippage, which is dangerous. In short, learning to yield isn’t just about following rules; it’s a fundamental principle of safe driving.
Having driven for over a decade, my experience tells me that on narrow sloping roads, the downhill vehicle should proactively yield to the uphill vehicle. The reasoning is simple: if an uphill vehicle is forced to stop while starting or climbing, restarting may cause stalling or slipping, which is more dangerous; downhill vehicles have better control over speed and positioning. In practice, I usually signal with hand gestures to let the other party go first or turn on hazard lights to alert following vehicles. The steepness of the road must also be considered – extra caution is needed on very steep slopes. Always observe the field of view in advance and yield when possible, never rush. After all, traffic regulations also stipulate this to reduce accidents.
