What are the criteria for driving against traffic?
2 Answers
In China, driving is based on the right-hand side, and the road is divided by the centerline. If a vehicle crosses the centerline and encroaches on the opposite lane, it is considered driving against traffic. Below are the relevant details: 1. According to Order No. 123 from the Ministry of Public Security, the penalty points for driving against traffic are as follows: Reversing, driving against traffic, or making a U-turn across the central divider on a highway will result in a 12-point deduction. Overtaking or yielding improperly, or driving against traffic once will result in a 3-point deduction. 2. Motor vehicle drivers committing any of the following violations will receive a 3-point deduction: Driving below the minimum speed limit on a highway. Driving a vehicle prohibited from entering a highway onto a highway. Driving in an improper lane on a highway or urban expressway. Failing to slow down, stop, or yield to pedestrians at a crosswalk. Violating prohibitory signs or markings.
Every time I hit the road, I pay extra attention to the direction. Driving against traffic, simply put, means going the wrong way on the road, which violates traffic rules. The standard is clear: on city roads or highways, you must follow the lane arrows and signs to stay in the correct direction. For example, on a four-lane bidirectional road, you need to go with the flow and never swerve left or into oncoming lanes, or you could cause an accident in seconds. I remember once making a wrong turn onto a one-way street, but luckily I braked in time to avoid disaster. There are exceptions, like reversing or making a U-turn in a parking lot—that doesn’t count as driving against traffic—but it’s strictly prohibited on main roads. The law states that driving against traffic results in point deductions and fines, and in severe cases, even license suspension. I usually rely on navigation for direction reminders and make it a habit to check road signs—it’s safer and gives me peace of mind.
