Is driving over a yellow dashed line considered going against traffic?
2 Answers
Vehicles crossing a dashed yellow line are not considered to be going against traffic. Motor vehicles and non-motor vehicles in China are required to drive on the right side. According to this legal regulation, driving on the left side of the road constitutes "going against traffic." Relevant explanations are as follows: On roads with solid dividing lines, motor vehicles entering the opposite lane are considered violations. Among these, roads with double solid lines or single solid lines as dividers must not be crossed under any circumstances. On roads with dashed dividing lines, lane changes for overtaking are permitted when safe, but in the event of an accident, the vehicle changing lanes will be deemed to be going against traffic. On roads marked with one-way signs, any motor vehicle entering is considered to be going against traffic. During driving, yellow lines should be treated like walls; they must never be touched. However, typically, crossing the yellow line when exiting an intersection is not penalized because it usually does not trigger traffic cameras. But crossing the yellow line when entering an intersection will trigger the opposite intersection's traffic cameras and result in penalties.
Speaking of driving, I've been behind the wheel for over a decade and have some experience to share. A yellow dashed line in the center of the road means you can briefly use the opposite lane to overtake, but only when it's safe with no oncoming traffic. Driving against traffic, on the other hand, refers to completely moving into the opposing lane and violating the flow of traffic - that's definitely illegal. I once witnessed an accident when I was younger where a guy mistakenly thought crossing the yellow line meant he could drive freely, nearly causing a collision. Remember, briefly borrowing the opposite lane to pass isn't considered driving against traffic, but if you stay there too long without returning promptly, it might be deemed as such. What matters is whether your driving intention and actions are reasonable. Road safety is no trivial matter - any violation could lead to fines or points. Always strictly follow the rules and prioritize safety. Next time you drive, pay attention to line types: yellow dashed lines allow temporary lane borrowing, but they should never be treated as regular lanes.
