Can you temporarily park on the highway emergency lane?
3 Answers
Highway emergency lanes cannot be used for temporary parking. The highway emergency lane is a "life channel" reserved only for emergency vehicles. Except in cases of vehicle breakdown, no vehicle is allowed to park on the emergency lane at any time. Otherwise, according to traffic regulations, the driver will face a fine of 200 yuan and 6 demerit points. According to relevant regulations, except for police cars, fire trucks, engineering rescue vehicles, and ambulances performing emergency tasks, no other motor vehicles are allowed to enter or park on the emergency lane. If a motor vehicle is involved in a traffic accident or breaks down and needs to temporarily stop on the emergency lane, the driver must use hazard warning lights as required and place a warning sign at least 150 meters away in the direction of oncoming traffic to alert other vehicles. In special circumstances on the highway, you may briefly stop on the emergency lane: when the vehicle experiences sudden mechanical failure, such as a flat tire, engine malfunction, or transmission failure; when a passenger in the vehicle suddenly falls seriously ill or is severely injured; or when there is an imminent childbirth or a candidate urgently rushing to an exam. If captured by traffic cameras, you will need to provide proof (such as a birth certificate or exam admission ticket) to the traffic police for explanation and appeal.
The emergency lane on highways must never be used for temporary parking. Having driven for so many years, I've seen many people casually stopping on the emergency lane to make phone calls or rest, only to be fined or even cause rear-end collisions. The emergency lane is reserved for real emergencies like ambulances, fire trucks, or sudden vehicle breakdowns. Illegal parking can block rescue routes and is extremely dangerous. With vehicles moving at such high speeds on highways, even a slight distraction can lead to a collision with a parked car, turning a minor issue into a major one. If you feel tired, it's advisable to hold on until the next service area or exit where there are rest stops and safety facilities. Remember, safety comes first. Don't seek momentary convenience, or the consequences could be unimaginable.
As someone who frequently deals with traffic issues, I must clarify: the highway emergency lane is only for stopping in genuine emergencies, such as a flat tire or a sudden illness of the driver. Temporary stops, like switching drivers or checking a phone, are absolutely prohibited. The law clearly states that such actions can be caught by cameras, resulting in fines of several hundred yuan and possible demerit points. More importantly, stopping in the emergency lane increases the risk of chain collisions. I've seen accident data where many tragedies were caused by people parking in the wrong place. If your car breaks down, you must first turn on the hazard lights, move the car to the outermost side of the roadside guardrail, place a warning sign 150 meters behind, then quickly evacuate everyone and call for help. Safe driving is no small matter—everyone must follow the rules.
