Is it considered a traffic violation if you can't see the road markings clearly on a rainy day and drive over them?
3 Answers
Driving over unclear road markings on a rainy day and being captured by cameras is still considered a traffic violation, but you can apply for administrative reconsideration under special circumstances. The details are as follows: 1. Violation: A traffic violation refers to any behavior that violates traffic regulations. Any act that breaches traffic management rules is considered a violation. Article 56 of the 'Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses' states: For any road traffic safety violation committed by a motor vehicle driver, both penalties and demerit points will be imposed simultaneously. 2. Penalty: Generally, driving over markings violates the prohibition of crossing solid lines, resulting in a fine of 200 RMB and 3 demerit points. So-called violations of prohibited markings include not only crossing solid lines but also failing to drive in the designated lane at intersections, illegal temporary or long-term parking, and making U-turns in no-U-turn zones. These also incur a fine of 200 RMB and 3 demerit points. If multiple violations are involved, penalties and demerit points will be cumulative.
I deeply understand the issue of not being able to see lane markings clearly on rainy days after driving for over ten years. Even in heavy rain, crossing the line still counts as a violation—traffic cameras don't consider weather conditions. Last year during the rainy season, I got caught: I couldn’t see the lane markings clearly in the rain and slightly crossed the line, receiving a ticket three days later. The traffic police told me to drive slower in rain or snow, keep the windshield clean, and replace worn-out wipers. If visibility is really poor, slow down and follow the tracks of the car ahead, or use navigation to help judge lane position. Don’t bother appealing—friends who tried never succeeded, as traffic rules are recorded based on actual conditions. Using fog lights and hazard lights in heavy rain can actually worsen visibility; low beams are recommended instead. The safest approach is to minimize lane changes in the rain and plan your route early to reduce the risk of crossing lines.
As an urban commuter who drives two hours daily, the most annoying thing about driving in the rain is the blurry road markings. But I must remind you: even if you can't see the lines clearly in the rain and accidentally cross them, it still counts as a traffic violation—the cameras capture it clearly. Just last week, I heard a colleague complain about being fined 200 yuan for crossing the lines in the rain, and their appeal was outright rejected. My advice is to turn on the defogging function in advance on rainy days and lower the AC temperature to reduce fogging on the windows. The heated rearview mirror function is crucial, as it helps you see the lane markings on both sides. Maintaining a speed below 40 km/h is safer, and it's wise to increase the following distance. If you encounter heavy rain, where water on the road reflects lights, you can use the curb or median barriers as reference points to judge your position. Remember, handling traffic violations in the rain is more troublesome, as police stations often have long queues.
