Can You Park on the Emergency Lane of a Highway?

[LeHaley]

Non-emergency vehicles are not allowed to park on the emergency lane of a highway. The regulations regarding highway emergency lanes are as follows: 1. According to Article 82 of the Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, motor vehicles are prohibited from driving or parking on the emergency lane of a highway under non-emergency circumstances. 2. The emergency lane on a highway is reserved for emergency vehicles only, including police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and engineering rescue vehicles when performing urgent tasks. Additionally, vehicles that experience sudden malfunctions and cannot operate normally, or vehicles with passengers suffering from sudden illnesses, may use the emergency lane. Other vehicles are prohibited from parking or driving on the emergency lane under non-emergency conditions. 3. Illegally occupying the emergency lane poses significant risks, especially during peak periods. In the event of a traffic accident, rescue forces may be unable to reach the scene promptly, accident vehicles may not be cleared quickly, and congestion may not be resolved immediately, directly affecting the life-saving treatment of injured parties.

[LaIsabela]

Last year while driving on the highway, I personally witnessed someone stopping on the emergency lane to make a phone call, and a large truck almost rear-ended them. A sincere reminder to everyone: The emergency lane is reserved for life-saving vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks. Ordinary vehicles stopping there without proper reason will result in a 6-point deduction and a fine! In case of a real emergency, such as a flat tire, you must turn on the hazard lights, park outside the guardrail, place a warning triangle 150 meters behind the vehicle, and quickly move to safety outside the guardrail. Service areas are available every few dozen kilometers—if you really can't hold it or feel unwell, it's better to drive slowly to the nearest service area. Remember, every second you stay on the emergency lane increases the danger!

[StAndres]

A veteran truck driver with over a decade of experience tells you that the scariest thing on the highway is encountering private cars parked in the emergency lane. Forget about stopping to rest—even changing a spare tire is extremely dangerous. The blind spots of large trucks are much bigger than you think. Last year, my apprentice was rear-ended while changing a tire in the emergency lane after a breakdown, all because the warning triangle wasn’t placed far enough. The entire rear of the truck was totaled. If you really need to handle a vehicle issue, remember three things: turn on your hazard lights, place the warning triangle twice as far as you would during your driver’s license test, and move all personnel outside the guardrail to call 12122. Parking in the emergency lane for no good reason? Not only is it illegal with fines and points deducted, but it’s also morally unjustifiable.

[DelSophia]

A person who spent five years in the traffic police accident department tells you: Secondary accidents caused by parking on the highway emergency lane account for 26% of fatal highway accidents. According to the law, only vehicle breakdowns or sudden driver illnesses allow for brief stops—any other reason is illegal. Even if you experience a flat tire, after parking, all occupants must immediately move beyond the guardrail and never stand by the lane making calls—last year, a driver was dragged under a vehicle this way. The correct procedure is to ensure personal safety first, then call 12122 for help—don’t try to handle it yourself.