Will points be deducted for sitting cross-legged in the passenger seat?
3 Answers
Sitting cross-legged in the passenger seat does not result in point deductions. However, if passengers become too relaxed and adopt incorrect postures, sudden turns, braking, or accidents may lead to injuries ranging from sprains and fractures to even life-threatening situations. Hazards of sitting cross-legged in the car: When relaxed, some passengers may place one or both legs on the seat. Sitting cross-legged inherently carries many risks, such as causing diseases in the lower limbs, knees, and lumbar spine. During the ride, vehicle jolts and swaying can exacerbate these hazards. Even when wearing a seatbelt, the cross-legged posture can alter the belt's position, preventing it from effectively securing the passenger during emergencies. This is particularly dangerous as the impact on the abdomen and ribs cannot be transferred to the legs, leading to severe injuries. Hazards of placing legs on the dashboard: This posture obstructs the driver's view of the right-side mirror and road conditions, increasing the risk of right-side collisions. In the event of sudden braking or a frontal collision, the upper body may violently lurch forward. With legs placed too high, the body can be compressed into a "V" shape, subjecting the waist to extreme impact forces. Under high-speed and intense impacts, there is even a risk of high-level paralysis or suffocation. Additionally, this posture can interfere with the proper deployment of the front passenger airbag.
I remember when studying traffic rules, sitting cross-legged in the front passenger seat is not a direct point-deducting offense, as China's traffic regulations mainly focus on penalizing driver behaviors, such as not wearing a seatbelt or dangerous driving. However, sitting cross-legged may pose safety risks, such as increasing the likelihood of injury when an airbag deploys during a crash, as the legs obstruct the airbag's deployment path. In actual driving, if police observe this behavior, they may verbally educate or impose fines for other related violations, such as disrupting driving order. Therefore, for safety reasons, I recommend passengers maintain a proper sitting posture, ensure the seatbelt is securely fastened, and develop good habits, making travel safer and more worry-free. After all, when driving on the road, safety comes first above all else, and any small action could lead to serious consequences.
As someone who frequently shuttles children, I strongly oppose sitting cross-legged in the front passenger seat. While this posture doesn't directly incur penalty points, if a child sits cross-legged during sudden braking or collision, their legs may get trapped or sustain additional impact injuries. Although traffic safety laws don't explicitly penalize this posture, they emphasize all passengers must wear seatbelts properly - cross-legged sitting often indicates improper seatbelt fastening, making it liable for fines during police checks. My children used to prefer sitting this way too, but I consistently reminded them to sit upright before driving. Now it's become habitual, significantly reducing my worries. I believe parents should lead by example - cultivating safety habits through education is far better than dealing with consequences afterward.
