Can You Use the Emergency Lane During Highway Traffic Jams?
3 Answers
During highway traffic jams, you cannot use the emergency lane; otherwise, you will be fined and receive penalty points. Introduction to the Emergency Lane: The emergency lane on a highway refers to the part of the road adjacent to the right lane, including the hard shoulder, with a width of more than 3 meters and an effective length of 30 meters or more, which can accommodate the parking needs of motor vehicles. In emergency situations, vehicles can drive or park on the emergency lane. Guidelines for Parking in the Emergency Lane: If you encounter an unsolvable problem such as a vehicle breakdown, you should park the vehicle in the emergency stopping area, turn on the hazard warning lights, and place a warning sign 150 meters behind the vehicle. During nighttime, rain, fog, or other adverse weather conditions, you should also turn on the side marker lights, tail lights, and rear fog lights. All other passengers must move to the safe area of the emergency lane and, if necessary, promptly call the highway emergency number to request assistance.
As a veteran driver with over thirty years of experience, I know very well that you must never use the emergency lane during highway traffic jams. National laws clearly state that the emergency lane is a life-saving passage reserved exclusively for emergencies, only allowing ambulances, fire trucks, or vehicles that have broken down to pass—ordinary traffic congestion does not count as an emergency. Illegally occupying it can result in a 6-point deduction, a fine of over 200 yuan, and even license suspension. More importantly, it endangers safety—I’ve seen cases where a private car blocked the lane, delaying an ambulance by five minutes, leading to the patient not receiving timely treatment. This reminds me every time I’m stuck in traffic to tell myself: be patient, sit back and listen to the radio or plan a new route, because following the rules means protecting lives. Highway design allows us to pull over for a 15-minute break, but occupying the emergency lane only increases the danger. Remember, waiting is always better than causing a disaster.
I believe using the emergency lane during traffic jams is far too risky and should not be taken lightly. Emergency lanes are designed to be narrow, making accidents more likely; if an ambulance needs to pass and you're blocking the way, delaying emergency response could cost lives. Moreover, it's not intended for regular traffic congestion—legally, it's reserved for emergency breakdowns or medical crises. When driving, I always avoid this behavior, preferring to pass the time by playing on my phone or checking navigation. More practically, occupying the emergency lane can result in fines starting from 500 RMB and may affect your vehicle insurance. I recommend downloading a traffic app in advance to find the next exit for a detour—this approach is both safe and compliant. Don’t risk it just to save a few minutes.
