Will Continuous Lane Changes on Dotted Lines Be Captured by Cameras?
3 Answers
Continuous lane changes on dotted lines will be captured by cameras. When changing lanes, the following rules must be observed: proceed in order and avoid frequent lane changes; do not change more than two lanes at once. Even if the lane markings are dotted, continuous lane changes for personal convenience may result in fines and penalty points. Such behavior can make it difficult for surrounding vehicles to react in time, potentially leading to serious traffic accidents. Scenarios where lane changes on dotted lines are captured: Failure to use turn signals: Activating turn signals in advance alerts other drivers to your intention to change lanes, ensuring road safety. If you change lanes on a dotted line without signaling or signal for less than three seconds, it will be considered a violation and subject to fines. Continuous lane changes: While driving, it's common to take the wrong route, necessitating a lane change. However, some drivers switch lanes continuously—for example, moving directly from the far-left lane to the far-right lane—instead of changing one lane at a time. This behavior is highly dangerous, as it may prevent surrounding vehicles from reacting promptly, leading to severe accidents. Legal provisions: According to the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China: Before making a left turn, changing lanes to the left, preparing to overtake, exiting a parking spot, or making a U-turn, the left turn signal must be activated in advance. Before making a right turn, changing lanes to the right, returning to the original lane after overtaking, or parking on the roadside, the right turn signal must be activated in advance. When vehicles are queued or moving slowly, overtaking, occupying the opposite lane, or cutting into the queue is prohibited.
With over 30 years of driving experience, I've personally witnessed how delicate the matter of continuous lane changes on dashed lines can be. While dashed lines permit lane changes, rapidly switching lanes back-to-back—such as weaving left and right on highways or in congested traffic—can easily draw attention from traffic enforcement systems. AI-powered cameras aren’t just for catching speeding or red-light violations; they also track vehicle trajectories. If consecutive lane changes create a serpentine pattern, the system automatically logs it as reckless driving, sometimes issuing an on-the-spot ticket. Recently, while driving in Guangzhou, I noticed roadside notices warning that such behavior could result in demerit points and fines. The key is safe driving: after changing lanes, stabilize your car for a few seconds to ensure no conflicts before moving again. Forcing continuous lane changes not only heightens personal risk but could also trigger chain-reaction accidents. I advise both new and seasoned drivers to cultivate steady driving habits.
I have some expertise in traffic regulations and know that dashed lines allow for safe lane changes, but making multiple consecutive lane changes is not so straightforward. The law doesn't explicitly state that it's illegal, but if consecutive lane changes create a risk of rear-end collisions or unstable driving, it may be considered reckless driving. Electronic monitoring, such as smart cameras tracking vehicle paths, can trigger alerts and snapshots for rapid consecutive lane changes, leading to fines or penalty points. In practice, I've noticed that cameras on urban elevated roads are particularly sensitive—for example, certain sections in Shanghai frequently catch such poor driving behavior. For safety, I adhere to the 'one lane at a time' principle: complete one change, stabilize, then proceed. This not only prevents penalties but also reduces the likelihood of accidents.
