Will drinking water while driving result in penalty points if caught on camera?

[DiKiara]

Drinking water while driving and being caught on camera will result in a 3-point penalty. Here are the relevant details: 1. Violation: If the driver is captured by surveillance performing actions such as eating, drinking water, smoking, or looking at a phone while driving, these will all be treated as violations. 2. Electronic Eye: Also known as electronic police, the electronic eye is a common term for the intelligent traffic violation monitoring and management system. It utilizes various technologies including vehicle detection, photoelectric imaging, automatic control, network communication, and computers to monitor violations such as running red lights, driving in the wrong direction, speeding, crossing lines, and illegal parking around the clock. It captures images and information of vehicle violations for subsequent processing based on the violation data.

[BellaRose]

Will drinking water while driving result in penalty points if caught on camera? This is a very practical question. I remember once on the highway, I was in a hurry and took a sip from a water bottle when I got thirsty. The water spilled onto my legs, and in the panic, the car slightly veered off course. A police friend told me that drinking water itself isn’t a strict penalty point offense, but if surveillance captures you being visibly distracted—like looking down or losing focus—it could be considered obstructing safe driving, resulting in a 200-yuan fine and 2 penalty points under traffic regulations. Similar high-risk behaviors include eating or looking at your phone. I recommend developing good habits: hydrate before leaving or take a break at a service area. Don’t risk safety just to save time—it’s the top priority. These small actions can accumulate and easily lead to accidents. Statistics show that distracted driving contributes to an increasing percentage of crashes every year. It’s far better to pull over for a minute or two to take care of things.

[StJuliette]

From a legal perspective, drinking water while driving does not necessarily result in direct penalty points. Traffic regulations do not explicitly prohibit drinking water, but it falls under the category of behaviors that hinder safe driving. For instance, if you get distracted while drinking, causing the car to swerve or deviate from the lane, and this is captured by cameras or observed by traffic police on-site, you may receive a ticket with penalty points and a fine. Referring to actual cases, a friend was fined for drinking cola while driving due to unskilled handling. My understanding is that any behavior that may distract attention while driving is dangerous, and it is advisable to handle such activities only during red lights or when parked. Additionally, discussing related behaviors like smoking or eating, which are more likely to be penalized, the penalty point system is designed to reduce accident rates and maintain public safety. Overall, reasonable handling can avoid trouble.

[MacReese]

I've encountered similar situations during my decade of driving. Once in the city, I was so thirsty that I opened a water bottle to drink, only to be glared at and reported by a driver next to me. Luckily, I wasn't caught on camera and penalized. Experience has taught me that even small actions like drinking water can cause distraction. If hot water spills or you look down, the risk of an accident skyrockets instantly. I know a friend who was fined 150 yuan and deducted 1 point after being caught on camera drinking coffee while driving, wobbling as he did. Now, I make it a rule to stop before drinking or use a fixed cup holder. The essence of safe driving is focus. These small actions, when accumulated, can easily lead to disaster. It's crucial to develop good habits rather than seeking convenience.