Under what circumstances can the highway emergency lane be used?
2 Answers
Highway emergency lane can be used in the following situations: 1. When the vehicle experiences sudden malfunctions and cannot operate normally, including tire blowouts, engine abnormalities, transmission failure, etc.; 2. When passengers in the vehicle suddenly fall ill or suffer major injuries. In the above two cases, when the vehicle occupies the emergency lane, the driver must place a warning triangle 200 meters behind the vehicle, and the hazard lights must be turned on after parking. The emergency lane is often regarded as a lifeline, specifically reserved for emergency vehicles such as ambulances, police cars, fire trucks, and rescue vehicles to perform rescue missions. Private vehicles are not allowed to use it unless under special circumstances.
On the highway, I once experienced an emergency situation where my car suddenly had a flat tire and couldn’t move. That’s the only time you should use the emergency lane. You must pull over, turn on the hazard lights, place a warning triangle, and call for help. Never misuse it for overtaking or convenience—not only will you get fined and penalized, but it could also cause serious accidents and block vehicles that genuinely need emergency access. A friend of mine was mistakenly fined, and it wasn’t worth it. Now, I’ve made it a habit to check tire pressure and the tool kit before every highway trip to ensure everything’s in order. Safety comes first. If something happens, use the emergency lane to save yourself, then quickly move to a safe area to wait. Never linger on the lane—it’s like exposing yourself to danger.
