Will I be photographed if I accidentally drive into a non-motorized vehicle lane?
5 Answers
Yes, motor vehicles are not allowed to drive in non-motorized vehicle lanes. If a motor vehicle is driven in a non-motorized vehicle lane, a warning or a corresponding fine will be imposed, without penalty points. The following are relevant materials: Article 36 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China": According to road conditions and traffic needs, roads are divided into motor vehicle lanes, non-motorized vehicle lanes, and pedestrian lanes. Motor vehicles, non-motorized vehicles, and pedestrians shall travel in their respective lanes. Article 90 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China": If a motor vehicle driver violates the road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road traffic regulations, a warning or a fine shall be imposed.
I've experienced accidentally turning into a bicycle lane before, it happened when I didn't see the road signs clearly in an unfamiliar area. Honestly, many intersections now have surveillance cameras, especially those with automatic recognition features specifically designed to capture lane violations. Last time my colleague drove this way near a downtown hospital entrance, he received a text notification three days later - a 100 yuan fine with no points deducted. Of course, the risk is lower on small roads or back alleys without surveillance, but having elderly cyclists suddenly dart out is even scarier. If you actually hit someone, the compensation would cost way more than a traffic ticket. My advice is to rather take a detour when driving, and if misled by navigation, promptly use turn signals to change back - that's the safer approach.
I've been hearing car enthusiasts discuss this issue frequently lately. I checked Article 37 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, which clearly states that motor vehicles are prohibited from driving in non-motorized vehicle lanes. Nowadays, traffic cameras have been upgraded to AI recognition systems, with panoramic cameras that can automatically identify vehicles crossing lane markings. Last week when I went to the vehicle management office, I saw a large screen displaying rolling footage of captured violations—a white SUV was clearly photographed in a non-motorized lane near a school entrance. A traffic police friend mentioned that key monitoring areas are around hospitals, commercial districts, and schools. However, temporary lane usage to avoid an accident vehicle usually doesn't incur penalties, depending on whether the dashcam can prove it was an emergency avoidance maneuver.
Back when I just got my driver's license, I used to do this kind of thing often, thinking it would be fine as long as there were no traffic police around. Once, I drove 200 meters on a service road in a hurry, and the next month I found a violation notice on the 12123 app. After consulting my cousin who's a traffic officer, I learned that sections of main roads with diamond-shaped signs are 100% monitored, while community lanes mostly rely on reports from the public. Now, the new traffic regulations impose stricter penalties for lane violations—in Shenzhen, the fine is directly 200 yuan. It's advisable to develop the habit of checking road markings: double yellow lines with bicycle patterns indicate non-motor vehicle lanes. If you accidentally enter one, quickly turn on your hazard lights and slowly merge back, avoiding driving continuously for more than 50 meters.
As a veteran driver with ten years of experience, I can responsibly say it depends on the situation. Driving like this on main city roads during rush hours in the morning and evening, the spherical surveillance cameras above are very likely to capture it; but the risk is much lower on dead-end roads in urban-rural fringe areas. Last year, I helped a friend deal with a similar traffic violation. The traffic police reviewed the footage and found that he had mistakenly followed the car in front, and he was finally let off with a warning. Nowadays, some navigation apps will remind you to 'pay attention to lane types'—remember to turn up the volume. Additionally, be extra cautious during rainy days or at night when visibility is poor, as driving onto non-motorized lanes can easily damage the chassis.
