Will lying in the co-pilot seat result in penalty points?
4 Answers
Lying flat in the co-pilot seat will not result in penalty points. Additional information is as follows: 1. Lying flat in the co-pilot seat is relatively dangerous: There are no clear legal requirements regarding the sitting posture in the co-pilot seat, so it is permissible to lie flat. However, from a safety perspective, lying flat in the co-pilot seat is relatively hazardous. 2. Passengers must not interfere with driving: Passengers must not interfere with driving, extend any part of their body outside the vehicle, or jump out of the vehicle. The following situations may occur when the seat is reclined: 1. Being thrown off the seat: The co-pilot may be thrown off the seat, leading to secondary collisions with parts such as the windshield, roof, B-pillar, or door. 2. Sliding forward due to inertia: There is a possibility of sliding forward due to inertia, resulting in knee collisions and comminuted fractures. 3. Being strangled by the seatbelt: There is a risk of being strangled by the seatbelt around the neck, leading to tragic consequences.
I have worked in the traffic management department for nearly thirty years and often encounter such inquiries. Lying down in the passenger seat does pose safety hazards, as it may prevent the seatbelt from properly securing the body. Although traffic regulations do not explicitly penalize reclining postures with demerit points, according to Article 90 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, police have the authority to penalize passengers if they obstruct the driver’s view or interfere with driving. In practice, most cases result in warnings or fines ranging from 20 to 50 yuan, with direct demerit points for drivers being rare. The key issue lies in safe driving—crash tests show that the fatality rate in accidents is 80% higher in a semi-reclined position compared to a normal sitting posture. It is strongly recommended to wear the seatbelt properly at all times.
As a long-distance ride-hailing driver, I've seen too many passengers lying down to sleep in the front passenger seat. To be honest, I've never been penalized for it myself, but I've been pulled over and warned by traffic police twice. The key factor is whether the seatbelt is used: if the passenger is lying down but still wearing the seatbelt, they usually won't be fined; however, if they put their feet on the windshield or lie completely flat, the police may issue a 50-yuan ticket for 'obstructing safe driving.' A special reminder: when the vehicle turns or brakes suddenly, a lying passenger can easily hit the console. Last month, my colleague had a case where a passenger injured their lips this way.
When I just got my driver's license, the instructor repeatedly emphasized: The most dangerous consequence of incorrect posture in the passenger seat is to yourself. Lying flat will disable the seatbelt locking function, especially for children or pregnant women who should avoid it. Although traffic police usually only penalize not wearing a seatbelt (deducting 1 point and fining 50 yuan), last year in Shandong, there was a case where the driver was deemed 'failed to ensure passenger safety' due to the passenger lying flat. It's recommended to take a break at service areas every hour during long drives, which is much more comfortable than risking lying down. Remember to install a headrest to reduce neck pressure, a detail many car owners overlook.
