Is it a traffic violation to go straight in a right-turn lane?
3 Answers
Going straight in a right-turn lane is considered a traffic violation, as it constitutes driving in a lane not designated for that purpose. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," this violation will result in a fine and penalty points. The specific penalties and precautions to avoid violations are as follows: Different penalties under two circumstances: Driving in a lane not designated for that purpose is divided into two scenarios, with corresponding penalties: Driving a motor vehicle on a highway or urban expressway in a lane not designated for that purpose will result in a 3-point penalty and a fine; Driving on roads other than highways or urban expressways in a lane not designated for that purpose will result in a fine but no penalty points. Precautions to avoid violations such as driving in the wrong lane: Before driving, plan your route carefully. When approaching an intersection, pay attention to the directional arrows on the road and enter the correct lane in advance. When reaching an intersection, whether you need to go straight, turn left, turn right, or make a U-turn, you must drive in the designated lane. If you accidentally choose the wrong lane, first, do not change lanes arbitrarily, and second, do not force yourself to continue in the original direction. Instead, proceed as is, make a U-turn or detour ahead, and then choose the correct lane.
Once while driving, I saw a guy charging straight ahead in a right-turn-only lane and got pulled over and fined by the police on the spot. This definitely counts as a traffic violation because, according to traffic rules, the right-turn lane is exclusively for vehicles turning right. Forcing your way straight through can disrupt other traffic flows, potentially causing congestion or even minor accidents. Under the Road Traffic Safety Law, this is called 'failing to drive in the designated lane' and typically results in 3 penalty points and a fine of 100-200 yuan, depending on local enforcement. In daily driving, we should develop good habits: check road signs and lane markings in advance, and don’t cut corners just to save a little time. I once almost took the wrong lane when in a hurry, but luckily switched back to the straight lane in time—otherwise, I’d have lost points again. Safety comes first—following the rules protects both yourself and others.
When I first started learning to drive, I also wondered whether going straight in a right-turn lane would be a problem. Later, I realized that it is indeed a violation. Think about it, such lanes are designed to allow right-turning vehicles to pass quickly. If you go straight, you might compete with vehicles in the straight lane, causing friction or sudden braking—how dangerous! Chinese traffic regulations clearly state that motor vehicles must follow the corresponding lanes; otherwise, it’s considered illegal driving. If caught, the penalties range from a fine of a hundred yuan to point deductions. I remember my coach repeatedly emphasizing: pay attention to the road markings and traffic signals, don’t drive confusedly. Now, every time I pass an intersection, I make sure to glance at the arrow signs to avoid causing chaos on the road. In short, rules are there for everyone’s benefit—can’t be careless.
