Will Crossing a Solid Line Always Be Captured by Cameras?
3 Answers
Sometimes crossing a solid line may not necessarily be captured, possibly because the electronic surveillance didn't record it, or there were no traffic police present at the scene. Penalty standards for crossing solid lines: Driving over a white solid line or straddling the line is considered a violation of prohibited markings. The chances of being captured by electronic surveillance are higher at traffic light intersections or ramp junctions, resulting in a 3-point deduction and a fine. However, traffic police departments in different regions may impose varying penalties for crossing solid lines—some may issue both fines and point deductions, while others may only impose fines without point deductions. Photography for crossing solid lines: Photography for crossing solid lines is active 24 hours a day, and the images and related data are retained for one week. Minor violations of crossing solid lines that do not result in major safety incidents are usually not captured. Additionally, temporary license plates used for new cars may not be clearly recorded by electronic surveillance due to material issues.
Let me share my experience about crossing solid lines to change lanes. When I first started driving in the city, I often hurriedly crossed solid lines, thinking it was fine as long as there were no cameras. But then, I got caught once on a main road—fined 200 yuan plus points deducted. That’s when I realized crossing solid lines is a violation in itself. Cameras aren’t installed at every intersection, nor are they always on. However, enforcement is stricter in central urban areas, and if you take the risk, the consequences can be costly. Actually, waiting a few seconds to change lanes in the dashed-line zone is both safer and more convenient. Once I developed this habit, I got fewer penalties and, more importantly, avoided accidents—crossing solid lines often leads to rear-end collisions, especially during rush hour, which is just asking for trouble. I’d advise new drivers to start simple—don’t rush like I used to. Driving steadily often turns out to be more efficient. In short, you won’t always get caught, but the odds are high—better to play it safe.
I personally find the act of changing lanes by crossing solid lines extremely distasteful, as it's purely reckless. From a safety perspective, solid lines are there to tell you not to change lanes arbitrarily. Crossing them can easily catch the following vehicle off guard, potentially leading to sideswipes or rear-end collisions. Regarding traffic cameras, they might not capture every violation due to possible equipment malfunctions or the absence of cameras in some areas. But you have to ask yourself: even if you're not caught, is it safe? I've seen many accidents caused by such small reckless actions, where drivers took chances and ended up harming both others and themselves. In daily driving, I recommend everyone develop good habits—double-check the road conditions before changing lanes and only proceed when it's a dashed line. Fines and penalty points are minor issues compared to matters of life and death. Consider the overall traffic order more; don't seek momentary convenience. Steady driving is more reliable. After all, urban rules are designed for everyone's benefit—only by following them can you truly save yourself trouble and money.
