Does reversing count as driving against traffic?
3 Answers
Reversing does not count as driving against traffic. Driving motor vehicles or non-motor vehicles on the left side is considered driving against traffic. Therefore, reversing is not considered driving against traffic, but it may still be illegal under specific circumstances. The "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses" stipulate the following: 1. 3-point penalty: Motor vehicle drivers committing any of the following violations will be penalized with 3 points: driving a motor vehicle without following regulations for overtaking or yielding, or driving against traffic. 2. 12-point penalty: Motor vehicle drivers committing any of the following violations will be penalized with 12 points: driving a motor vehicle on highways while reversing, driving against traffic, or crossing the central divider.
Backing up is generally not considered driving in the wrong direction, as driving in the wrong direction refers to intentionally driving in the opposite direction on the road, such as going the wrong way on a highway, which is a very dangerous and illegal act. On the other hand, backing up is usually done in parking spaces, residential roads, or when making a U-turn, mainly to adjust position rather than continuously moving in the opposite direction. From some traffic regulation explanations I've seen, backing up itself is allowed, but safety must be ensured. It should not be done arbitrarily on highways or one-way streets, otherwise it may also be considered a violation. For example, if you accidentally enter the wrong lane while backing up, it can easily cause an accident, but this does not equate to driving in the wrong direction itself. It's completely normal and legal to use reverse gear when parking, just be cautious of blind spots and preferably use a rearview camera or mirrors to ensure safety.
I think reversing and driving in the wrong direction are completely different things. Driving in the wrong direction means completely going against the traffic flow, such as entering the opposite lane, which is absolutely high-risk behavior. As for reversing? I do it frequently in my daily driving, especially when parking in reverse, purely to find a good parking spot—it definitely doesn’t count as going the wrong way. But there are safety pitfalls here too; visibility is poor when reversing, making it easy to scrape something or hit a pedestrian, so extra attention must be paid to speed and surroundings. Like me, having driven for years, I remind myself to take it slow, avoid reversing on main roads, and double-check blind spots. Essentially, reversing is a brief maneuver, while driving in the wrong direction is a complete error in driving direction—legally, the distinction is significant.
