Will changing lanes in a tunnel result in penalty points?
2 Answers
If a driver changes lanes once in a tunnel where lane changes are prohibited and is captured by electronic police surveillance, they will be penalized with 3 demerit points and a fine of 200 yuan. Relevant information: 1. Reasons for prohibiting lane changes in tunnels: The road surface inside tunnels is relatively narrow with poor visibility. If the tunnel has curves, changing lanes can easily lead to accidents, hence the prohibition. 2. Legal basis: According to the "New Traffic Regulations on Driver's License Penalty Points": If a motor vehicle driver commits any of the following violations, they will be penalized with 3 demerit points: Driving a passenger vehicle (excluding buses) or school bus with passengers exceeding the approved number by less than 20%. Driving a medium-sized or larger passenger or cargo vehicle, or a hazardous materials transport vehicle on roads other than highways or urban expressways, or driving any other motor vehicle at a speed exceeding the limit by less than 20%.
Changing lanes in a tunnel will definitely result in penalty points! I remember last time in Hangzhou’s river-crossing tunnel, I crossed the solid line to change lanes and received a ticket 3 days later—directly 3 points deducted and a 200-yuan fine. Nowadays, tunnels are fully equipped with high-definition cameras that can even capture the exact angle of your wheels touching the solid line. Actually, changing lanes inside a tunnel is extremely dangerous due to the abrupt shifts between light and darkness, making it hard for drivers behind to adjust their vision. A slight lapse in attention could lead to a rear-end collision. Once, I almost hit the car in front because someone suddenly cut in while inside the tunnel. My advice is to choose your lane before entering the tunnel. If you encounter a slow-moving vehicle, just follow patiently—safety comes first, and fines or points are minor issues in comparison.
