Why Should Vehicles from the Right Have the Right of Way at Intersections?
2 Answers
At intersections, vehicles from the right are given the right of way because in China, drivers sit on the left side of the car. The A-pillar on the left side is closer to the driver's eyes, obstructing more of their view. As a result, drivers at intersections may have more difficulty seeing the situation on their left side. Therefore, the rule is to give the right of way to vehicles coming from the right. This regulation is based on Article 52 of the Road Traffic Safety Law Implementation Regulations: at intersections without traffic signals, vehicles must yield to those coming from the right. Since Chinese drivers are positioned on the left side of the vehicle, they have more reliable and safer control over the distance to vehicles on their left. Thus, giving the right of way to vehicles from the right helps ensure safer vehicle control, reduces the risk of collisions, and enhances safety for all parties involved.
After driving for so long, I've realized that yielding to the right at intersections is primarily for safety considerations. When approaching an unsignalized intersection, if two vehicles arrive simultaneously, the vehicle on the right is more likely to be in a hazardous position because the driver on the left has a wider field of view and can spot the other car first, whereas the right-side driver's view might be obstructed by the vehicle's structure. Allowing the right-side vehicle to go first gives both you and the other driver more time to react, avoiding sudden lane changes or braking that could lead to a collision. This rule is widely adopted globally and stems from the principle of visual balance in traffic engineering—left-side vehicles have a natural advantage, while right-side vehicles need priority protection. This rule proves especially valuable when driving in rain or at night, reducing panic and ensuring safe passage for everyone. Consistently adhering to it makes overall traffic more orderly and efficient, significantly reducing accident rates—truly a simple yet effective design.
