Road Traffic Rules

Road traffic rules refer to the statutory codes of conduct established under the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" and its implementing regulations, designed to ensure safe, orderly, and smooth movement for all road users. As the most fundamental framework closest to everyday driving, it clearly defines the right-of-way, give-way obligations, and strict operational boundaries for vehicles and pedestrians across various road conditions.

Core Attributes and Traffic Principles

Basic principle of lane segregation and lane discipline: The core logic of modern road traffic relies on systematic spatial separation and structured temporal alternation. Road traffic rules strictly enforce "lane segregation for motor vehicles, non-motorised vehicles, and pedestrians" alongside "keeping to the right", fundamentally preventing severe conflicts between traffic flows of varying speeds and volumes. 

Safety-first and priority-yielding mechanism: Traffic regulations do not advocate absolute "right-of-way supremacy"; instead, they are grounded in "defensive driving" and the "protection of vulnerable road users". For example, even when a motorist has the right-of-way on a green light, there remains a statutory duty to slow down or come to a complete stop to give way to crossing pedestrians.

Core Driving Modules and Spatial Regulations

Road traffic rules encompass a comprehensive suite of standards, ranging from macro-level right-of-way distribution to micro-level lane-changing manoeuvres, primarily covering the following key modules:

Module 1: Lane Discipline and Speed Limit Enforcement

Content: On demarcated carriageways, motor vehicles must travel strictly within their designated lanes. On multi-lane roads, slower vehicles must keep to the slow lane, while express buses, lorries, and other heavy vehicles must stick to the right-hand lane as prescribed; hogging or using the emergency lane is strictly prohibited. Drivers must also strictly adhere to both the maximum and minimum posted speed limits.

Module 2: Junctions and Turning Right-of-Way

Content: At signalised junctions, turning vehicles must give way to oncoming straight-through traffic and pedestrians. At non-signalised junctions or intersections without traffic police control, standard statutory give-way rules apply: "minor road yields to major road", "unentered vehicles yield to vehicles already inside the junction", and "give way to traffic approaching from the right".

Module 3: High-Risk Scenarios: Overtaking, Passing Oncoming Traffic, and U-Turns

Content:

Overtaking: Overtaking is strictly prohibited on pedestrian crossings, sharp bends, steep gradients, narrow bridges, or stretches with poor visibility. It is also illegal to overtake if the vehicle ahead is turning left, making a U-turn, or already executing an overtaking manoeuvre. 

Passing oncoming traffic: When passing oncoming vehicles at night, drivers must dip their headlights (switch to low beam) at a distance of at least 150 metres. On narrow inclines, downhill vehicles must yield to uphill traffic (unless the downhill vehicle is already halfway through while the uphill vehicle has not yet begun climbing). 

U-turns: Making a U-turn is strictly forbidden on zebra crossings, railway level crossings, sharp bends, narrow roads, bridges, steep hills, tunnels, or any hazardous stretch of road.

Zebra Crossing Etiquette and Special Area Regulations

To safeguard high-risk road users, the rules impose stringent mandatory duties in designated zones:

Process 1: Protocol for Giving Way at Pedestrian (Zebra) Crossings

Deceleration and observation duties:

When approaching a zebra crossing, drivers must decelerate well in advance. If pedestrians are actively crossing, the vehicle must come to a complete stop and yield. 

Managing conflicts at non-signalised crossings:

On roads without traffic lights, motorists must proactively give way to crossing pedestrians. If a pedestrian is waiting to cross at an un-signalised zebra crossing, vehicles behind and in adjacent lanes must stop in succession, ensuring absolute pedestrian priority by coming to a complete physical standstill.

Process 2: Protocols for Severe Weather and Temporary Stopping

Lighting and speed controls during low visibility: 

Under adverse weather conditions such as fog, rain, snow, sandstorms, or hail, vehicles must switch on headlights, clearance lamps, and tail lamps. When visibility drops drastically (e.g. below 50 metres), hazard warning lights must also be activated, and drivers should immediately head into the nearest service area or exit the expressway at the earliest opportunity.

Safety guidelines for temporary roadside stops: 

When stopping temporarily on the road, vehicles must not obstruct other road users or pedestrians. Drivers must pull up tightly along the right side of the road, remain inside the vehicle, and move off immediately once passengers have boarded/alighted or goods have been loaded/unloaded.