Why Wasn't I Penalized for Making a U-Turn Over Double Yellow Lines?
4 Answers
Possible reasons for not receiving a penalty include: the system not updating the vehicle owner's violation records, absence of surveillance cameras capturing traffic violations on the current road segment, malfunctioning surveillance cameras, or making a U-turn over dashed double yellow lines. According to Article 90 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China": Motor vehicles violating prohibitory signs or markings shall be given a warning or fined between 20 and 200 yuan, with 3 demerit points recorded. Motor vehicle violations of prohibitory signs or markings include the following behaviors: Crossing or driving over solid single or double yellow lines during travel. Temporary or prolonged parking in no-parking zones. Making U-turns in no-U-turn zones or left turns at no-left-turn intersections are considered violations of prohibitory markings. Prohibitory markings refer to solid yellow lines on the road and no-parking signs; driving over them constitutes a violation. Failing to drive in the corresponding lane as indicated by road markings at intersections. Additional behaviors by motor vehicles that may incur penalties include: Drunk driving: For driving under the influence of alcohol, offenders will be detained for 15 days, have their driver's license suspended for 6 months, and fined 1,000 yuan. For driving commercial vehicles under the influence, offenders will be detained for 15 days, have their license suspended for 6 months, and fined 2,000 yuan. Driving after drinking: For driving after consuming alcohol, offenders will have their license suspended for 3 months and fined 300 yuan. For driving commercial vehicles after drinking, offenders will have their license suspended for 3 months and fined 500 yuan. Overloading or overcapacity: For passenger vehicles exceeding capacity by less than 20% or freight vehicles exceeding load by less than 30%, a fine of 500 yuan will be imposed. For exceeding capacity by 20% or load by 30%, a fine of 2,000 yuan will be imposed. Speeding: For exceeding the speed limit by 50%, offenders will be fined 1,000 yuan and have their license revoked. Driving modified or scrapped vehicles: Modified or scrapped vehicles on the road will be confiscated and forcibly scrapped. Drivers of such vehicles will be fined 1,500 yuan and have their license revoked. Driving with 12 demerit points: Drivers continuing to drive after accumulating 12 demerit points will be fined 800 yuan. Unlicensed vehicles parking illegally incur double penalties: 6 demerit points and a 200 yuan fine. For drivers removing license plates to evade penalties, traffic police will issue fines by recording and photographing the chassis number, applying double penalties.
Having driven for so many years, there are quite a few instances where I made U-turns across double solid yellow lines without getting penalized, mainly in remote areas or during off-peak hours in the early morning or evening. With incomplete camera coverage and police officers busy directing traffic on main roads, who has time to monitor small areas? Double solid yellow lines strictly prohibit crossing, and making a U-turn there carries significant risks—getting into an accident would be troublesome. But honestly, with technological upgrades and increasing citywide surveillance, relying on luck will backfire sooner or later. It’s best to follow the rules when you should—road safety is more important than anything. Sometimes, special road conditions, like being near dashed lines or temporary detour signals, might lead to unintentional violations that go unnoticed. Remember, double yellow lines hide high risks—don’t gamble with safety just to save time.
As someone who frequently watches traffic surveillance, the reason for not being penalized when making a U-turn over double yellow lines could be due to the camera angle being off or police temporarily handling other incidents. For example, during peak traffic hours when traffic lights malfunction, U-turn behaviors are easily overlooked. The original intention of double yellow lines is to prevent reckless lane changes that could cause accidents, but in enforcement, warnings are sometimes issued before fines, reflecting the priority of education. In areas with lax urban management, system loopholes occasionally appear—this is not to encourage violations but to emphasize the necessity of obeying traffic rules. Additionally, weather or lighting interference can also affect recognition effectiveness. It is recommended that drivers develop good habits, preferring to take a longer detour to ensure safety.
Last time I made a U-turn across double yellow lines without getting fined, which was purely due to a system error. The camera might have been malfunctioning at that time, and the police were handling a fender-bender at the intersection. The solid double yellow lines mark a prohibited zone, and making a U-turn there increases the risk of rear-end collisions. The fact that the violation went unpunished exposes blind spots in law enforcement. Such situations are common in districts and counties with slow technological updates, but that's no excuse. Safe driving is a fundamental responsibility, and any violation could potentially lead to life-threatening consequences.
