What are the penalties for driving against traffic during congestion?
2 Answers
According to the Road Traffic Safety Law of China, drivers who drive against traffic on ordinary roads will be given a warning or fined accordingly, with 3 demerit points recorded. Legal Basis: Article 90 of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China states that motor vehicle drivers who violate road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road traffic rules shall be given a warning or fined. If this Law provides otherwise, penalties shall be imposed in accordance with the relevant provisions. Driving against traffic during congestion is punishable. If the vehicle has not crossed the stop line but is driving against traffic, 3 demerit points will be deducted. If the vehicle has already crossed the stop line and is driving against traffic, 3 demerit points will be deducted. If the vehicle has entered the opposite intersection and is not driving in the correct lane, 2 demerit points will be deducted. Therefore, driving against traffic during congestion is punishable. Relevant Regulations: Article 54 of the Road Traffic Safety Law stipulates that when road maintenance vehicles or engineering operation vehicles are performing their duties, their driving routes and directions are not restricted by traffic signs or markings, provided that they do not affect the passage of other vehicles. Other vehicles and pedestrians should give way. Motor vehicles such as sprinklers and sweepers should operate according to safety standards; they are not restricted by lane division when not affecting other vehicles, but they must not drive against traffic.
In China, driving against traffic during congestion is a major taboo, as traffic laws explicitly state it is a serious offense. According to the Road Traffic Safety Law, driving the wrong way can result in a fine ranging from 200 to 2,000 yuan, depending on the severity of the violation. Minor cases may only incur a 200-yuan fine and 3 demerit points, but if it causes congestion or an accident, the penalty jumps to 2,000 yuan, 12 demerit points, or even license suspension or detention. Accumulating too many demerit points means retaking the theoretical exam, wasting time and effort. As a driver, I’ve encountered similar cases where people took the risk of driving the wrong way during traffic jams, only to end up causing accidents, paying compensation, and harming others. So, when stuck in traffic, it’s better to stay patient—use navigation to detour or traffic apps, and prioritize safety. Such penalties are also recorded in personal files, affecting car insurance premiums, making it not worth the risk. Following the rules and waiting patiently is the right way.
