Can You Park on the Emergency Lane of a Highway?
4 Answers
Parking on the emergency lane of a highway is allowed only under two circumstances: 1. If the driver is unable to continue driving due to a sudden illness while on the highway, stopping the vehicle on the emergency lane is legal and will not incur penalties; 2. If the vehicle suddenly breaks down or becomes undrivable while on the highway, using the emergency lane in such cases will not result in penalties. If you encounter an unsolvable issue like a breakdown, you should park the vehicle in the emergency stopping area, turn on the hazard warning lights, place a warning sign 150 meters behind the vehicle, and during nighttime, rain, or fog, also turn on the side marker lights, tail lights, and rear fog lights. All other passengers must move to the safe area within the emergency lane. If necessary, promptly call the highway emergency number to request assistance.
I must say, the emergency lane on the highway should never be used for random parking. It's strictly reserved for genuine emergencies like sudden engine failure, tire blowouts, or driver medical emergencies. Once I witnessed a car changing tires on the emergency lane, and a following truck nearly rear-ended it - it gave me cold sweats. Current traffic regulations are strict: unauthorized use of emergency lanes carries a 6-point deduction and 2000 RMB fine, and could trigger chain collisions. Remember, even stopping for a few minutes without real emergency is gambling with lives. Service areas exist for resting, and exits appear every few kilometers if needed - it's never worth the risk.
What I fear most while driving is seeing people randomly parking in the emergency lane. On highways, speeds generally exceed 100 km/h, and while the emergency lane might seem safe, vehicles behind with obstructed views simply can't avoid you in time. Last year, my friend experienced this firsthand—he stopped by the roadside to check his navigation, resulting in a rear-end collision when the car behind had to brake suddenly, leaving his own car's rear completely smashed. The key point is that even if you're hit, you'll bear full responsibility because traffic regulations explicitly prohibit occupying the lane for non-emergencies. If you truly encounter a situation like a flat tire that forces you to stop, remember three steps: turn on your hazard lights, place a warning triangle 150 meters away, and stand outside the guardrail while waiting for help. In short, if you have a flat tire, try to move to the hard shoulder if possible, and absolutely avoid stopping in the driving lane to deal with it.
To be honest, the name 'emergency lane' says it all—it's not for use unless it's an emergency. Those who park there for convenience, like drinking water, answering calls, or even relieving themselves, are literally gambling with their lives. On the highway, a car passes by every 3 seconds on average. When you stop there, others are approaching at 120 km/h, leaving less than 2 seconds of reaction time. Last time I passed a rear-end collision scene, it was caused by a temporary stop in the emergency lane, resulting in five cars crashing in a chain. Nowadays, navigation systems all have service area reminders. If you really need a break, please go to a service area. If your vehicle truly can't move, don't panic. Follow the regulations to set up warning measures and call for police assistance. The emergency lane is not a parking spot—illegal parking endangers both yourself and others.
