Will driving straight in the left lane result in penalty points?
2 Answers
Driving straight in the left lane will result in penalty points, as it constitutes not driving in the designated lane. If caught, it will incur a 3-point deduction and a fine. Notification of traffic violations via SMS: Generally, after a traffic violation, an SMS reminder will be sent within 1-3 working days. As long as the violation is handled before the annual inspection, there should be no issue. However, it is also important to be aware of on-the-spot violations; if these are not addressed within 15 days, late fees may be incurred. When paying the fine, the driver only needs to bring their motor vehicle driving license and personal driving license. The following violations result in a 2-point deduction: Cutting in line during traffic jams or occupying the opposite lane; not waiting at the designated lane during traffic lights; overloading with less than 20% of the allowed weight.
To be honest, I've encountered this issue myself while driving. Several times I absentmindedly drove straight in the left lane only to get ticketed at intersections. The lane was clearly marked with a left-turn arrow, but I took the shortcut and went straight - the traffic camera caught me every time, resulting in points deducted and fines. In our area, this is a classic case of failing to follow directional lane markings. Traffic rules are clear: if there are dedicated left-turn markings or the signal only permits left turns, going straight is absolutely prohibited as it easily causes congestion and accidents. I've since developed the habit of checking lane indicator signs and arrows in advance, only proceeding straight when confirmed it's a shared lane. As for penalty points, it's at least 3 points and 200 yuan, or worse - could lead to collisions. Really not worth it. Now I always glance at navigation prompts showing lane purposes before driving to avoid impulsive maneuvers. Safety first is more important than anything else.
