How many points are deducted and how much is the fine for crossing the line when turning left?
2 Answers
No points will be deducted, but a warning or a fine may be issued. The "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" has corresponding provisions: Article 44: When motor vehicles pass through intersections, they shall proceed in accordance with traffic signals, traffic signs, traffic markings, or the command of traffic police; when passing through intersections without traffic signals, traffic signs, traffic markings, or traffic police command, they shall slow down and yield to pedestrians and vehicles with the right of way. Article 90: If a motor vehicle driver violates the road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road traffic rules, a warning or a fine shall be imposed. If this Law provides otherwise, the punishment shall be imposed in accordance with the relevant provisions.
Last time I wasn’t paying attention when making a left turn at an intersection, and my wheels crossed the solid line, which got me caught on camera. Later, I received a text message informing me that this kind of violation usually results in a 1-point deduction and a fine ranging from 100 to 200 yuan. The standards vary by location—for instance, I was fined 150 yuan in Nanjing, while my friend in Hangzhou only had to pay 100. However, the 1-point deduction is unavoidable. Although 12 points might seem like a lot, they can quickly dwindle after a few violations. I recommend merging into the left-turn lane 30 to 50 meters in advance and avoiding sharp turns. If it’s raining and the lane markings are hard to see, slow down even more—getting caught means taking time off to deal with the violation, which is a hassle. Also, crossing the line increases the risk of sideswiping straight-moving vehicles, so even if you avoid a fine, it’s still unsafe.
