How many points will be deducted for driving straight in the wrong lane?
3 Answers
Driving straight in the wrong lane will result in a deduction of 2 points. Penalties for not driving in the designated lane: According to Article 51 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, when a motor vehicle passes through an intersection controlled by traffic signals, it must enter the designated lane according to the intended direction of travel at intersections with marked lanes. If a driver does not follow the designated lane (i.e., drives in the wrong lane), they will generally be penalized with a deduction of 2 points and a fine. Common violations of not driving in the designated lane include: 1. Making a U-turn or left turn in sections where such actions are not allowed or prohibited; 2. Not following the guiding markings at intersections and driving in the corresponding lane; 3. Illegally entering a dedicated lane. Borrowing a lane: This 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. It includes motor vehicles changing lanes, entering non-motorized lanes or sidewalks, and non-motorized vehicles entering motorized lanes or sidewalks. If there are no traffic signs in a parking lot indicating whether driving in the opposite direction is allowed, ignorance may be excused. Otherwise, if there are corresponding warning signs, traffic police can impose penalties. On the road, driving in the opposite direction is generally determined by traffic markings. On two-way roads, vehicles must drive on the right side. Occupying the opposite lane will result in penalties for driving in the wrong direction.
The other day on my way to work, I absentmindedly took the wrong lane - I drove straight through when I was actually supposed to turn, and ended up getting caught by a traffic camera. Got 3 points deducted from my license and a 200 yuan fine. Looking back now, I really regret it. The intersection was crowded and it was raining that day, so I was in a hurry and didn't pay close attention to the road signs - that's a bad habit. Experienced drivers always say it's crucial to develop the habit of observing ahead of time, like checking the guiding arrows well before city intersections, ideally starting to choose your lane 100 meters in advance. These kinds of violations not only cost you points and fines, but can easily lead to accidents if someone suddenly changes lanes next to you - after all, the lane designs exist for good reason. I later checked on a driving license app and found that similar 'failure to drive in the correct lane' offenses uniformly carry a 3-point deduction nationwide. I'll definitely be more careful next time - safe driving is what really matters.
Last month, I made this mistake as a newbie driver - I went straight in a right-turn-only lane before a roundabout, and a few days later received a notice of 3 penalty points plus a 200-yuan fine. I'm usually quite careless, didn't pay attention to the navigation even though it was on, and just drove randomly when traffic was heavy at the intersection. Actually, checking traffic rules carefully, such mistakes mainly come from late lane changes or distraction. The penalty points might seem minor, but the potential risks are serious. For example, sudden braking after taking a wrong lane on highways can easily cause rear-end collisions. Now I've developed the habit of checking ground arrows and road signs before intersections. Mobile maps can also provide lane guidance. I'd advise new drivers to practice more on familiar routes to avoid such frustrating experiences like mine.
