Can You Park on a Ramp?
4 Answers
Parking is not allowed on any part of the highway ramp. A highway ramp is a road on the right side of a highway exit or entrance (usually 150-200 meters long). Also known as an approach, a ramp is an engineering term that typically refers to a short section of road providing access to or from main highways, elevated roads, bridges, and tunnels, connecting to adjacent service roads or other main roads via overpasses, inclines, or feeder roads, as well as collector-distributor roads. It is a key component of road interchange infrastructure. Here are some important considerations regarding ramps: 1. Pay attention to roadside signs: On highways, watch for signs before the ramp entrance to avoid last-minute stops for checks. 2. If you miss the ramp, continue forward—do not reverse: If you are too close or have already passed the ramp entrance, avoid sudden braking or reversing, as high-speed vehicles behind you may not have enough time to react, leading to rear-end collisions. 3. Use the auxiliary lane when entering or exiting ramps: Since most ramps have a speed limit of 60 km/h, highways provide an "auxiliary lane"—marked with short, thick, and conspicuous white lines—separate from the main lanes to allow safe speed adjustment for vehicles.
When I first started driving, my friends always emphasized that highway rules should never be taken lightly. You absolutely must not stop on the ramp because vehicles enter the exit lane at high speeds. If you suddenly stop, the car behind you won’t have enough time to react, which can easily lead to a rear-end collision with serious consequences. I once witnessed a similar accident where a driver stopped on the ramp to check their tires and got rear-ended, resulting in severe injuries for the people in the car. There’s no buffer space in such areas, unlike the emergency pull-off lanes on the roadside. If you really need to handle an issue temporarily, it’s safer to exit the highway and rest at a service station. Remember, stopping on the ramp for minor issues could cost you your life and create unnecessary trouble. Develop good habits—check your vehicle’s condition before entering the highway to avoid the need for sudden stops.
From my driving experience, stopping on the ramp is a major taboo. Vehicles entering or exiting the highway usually travel at high speeds, averaging over 70 kilometers per hour. Once you stop, the risk is too great, easily causing chain-reaction rear-end collisions or rollover accidents. Moreover, traffic regulations explicitly prohibit stopping on ramps, and in some areas, violators may face fines of two to three hundred yuan, along with possible demerit points. A friend of mine who patrols the highway once mentioned this issue, as he has seen numerous similar cases. The best approach is to avoid stopping for any reason, even minor issues like dropping your phone under the seat—wait until you reach a service area to handle it. Safety first; don’t cut corners for convenience.
I just got my driver's license, and the first time I got on the highway, I was told not to stop on the ramp. The instructor explained that ramps are specifically designed to allow vehicles to accelerate or decelerate quickly, funneling traffic like a funnel. Stopping would block others' paths, and the car behind might crash into you, causing an accident. I also heard on the radio that police often crack down on this behavior, and the fine is really not worth it. So now, whenever I drive onto a ramp, I focus on driving without easing off the throttle or stopping. If there's something to handle, I plan ahead and stop at the next exit's parking area.
