How Many Points Are Deducted for Turning in the Wrong Lane?
3 Answers
Turning in the wrong lane deducts 2 points. Lane Borrowing: Refers to pedestrians crossing the roadway where there is no marked sidewalk, or vehicles entering other lanes when turning, meeting, overtaking, making a U-turn, or parking. This includes motor vehicles changing lanes, entering non-motorized vehicle lanes or sidewalks, and non-motorized vehicles entering motor vehicle lanes or sidewalks. If there are no traffic signs in the parking lot indicating whether it is a one-way road, ignorance is excusable. Otherwise, if there are corresponding warning signs, traffic police can impose penalties. Vehicle wrong-way driving on roads is generally determined based on traffic markings. On two-way roads, vehicles must drive on the right side. Occupying the opposing lane will result in penalties for wrong-way driving. Penalties for Not Driving in the Designated Lane: According to Article 51 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, motor vehicles passing through signal-controlled intersections with designated lanes must enter the appropriate lane based on the intended direction of travel. If a vehicle does not drive in the designated lane (wrong lane), it is generally penalized with a 2-point deduction and a fine. Common violations of not driving in the designated lane include: 1. Making a U-turn or left turn where it is not allowed or prohibited; 2. Not following the directional markings at intersections and driving in the corresponding lane; 3. Illegally entering a dedicated lane.
That day I was in a hurry driving to work and at a major intersection where I should have gone straight, I misread the road sign and took a wrong turn, ending up being caught by an electronic eye. I received a text message at home saying I was deducted 3 points and fined 200 yuan. Losing points is no small matter—I just renewed my driver's license not long ago and don’t have many points left, so now I have to keep my eyes wide open while driving. Especially during rush hours in the morning and evening, with heavy traffic and complicated roads, it’s easy to make mistakes in the heat of the moment. Using navigation usually helps a lot—once the route is set, it reminds me which lane to take. Remember, making a wrong turn not only costs points but can also easily lead to accidents. I’ve personally seen rear-end collisions caused by this. So now I’d rather leave early than late, allowing enough time to carefully check the road markings—this habit has saved me several times.
After driving for so many years, I think the most common mistake leading to a 3-point deduction is turning from the wrong lane, such as crossing the line and turning in the wrong direction at a traffic light intersection. Last time, Old Wang in my neighborhood got penalized for this, and he complained that the 200-yuan fine wasn't much, but losing points is a big hassle. Actually, this kind of violation is easy to avoid—I've made it a habit to check the map and plan my route before setting off. New drivers need to be even more careful; urban roads are complex, and suddenly changing lanes can easily lead to mistakes. The key is not to rush and to follow the signs steadily. Behind these point deductions are safety concerns. I've seen data showing that such violations account for a significant proportion of accidents, especially in rainy conditions with poor visibility. It's advisable to regularly check if your vehicle's lights and markings are clear to reduce confusion. Safety first is the golden rule.
