Will Using the Emergency Lane Definitely Be Captured by Cameras?
2 Answers
Using the emergency lane will almost certainly be captured by cameras, as road surveillance is now nearly comprehensive, with many sections under real-time monitoring. If you use the emergency lane during traffic congestion, it may obstruct rescue efforts, and the likelihood of being photographed is very high. The cameras for capturing illegal use of the emergency lane are typically installed along the roadside, with a shooting distance of about 150 meters. The principle of capturing emergency lane violations is straightforward—it primarily checks whether a vehicle crosses the solid line. Vehicles that cross the solid line are photographed, and the images are then uploaded for manual analysis and processing. The emergency lane exists specifically for official vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, and police or military vehicles during emergencies. It is located on the far-right lane of highways, separated by a solid white line. Generally, private vehicles are not allowed to use the emergency lane, as it is a lifeline. However, if a vehicle breaks down or encounters an unsolvable issue, it may temporarily stop in the emergency lane to request assistance, provided personal safety is ensured.
Having driven for decades, my experience tells me that using the emergency lane doesn't necessarily get caught on camera, but the risk is high. In the past, I sneaked through a few times when stuck in traffic on suburban highways where there were fewer cameras, and luckily wasn't caught. But that one time during rush hour in the city center, I used the emergency lane and got clearly captured by high-definition surveillance—fined 600 yuan and 6 points deducted, which was painful and regrettable. Nowadays, urban surveillance systems are becoming increasingly intelligent, with AI cameras capable of automatically identifying violations, greatly increasing the chances of getting caught. What's worse, the emergency lane is a lifeline. There was once news about an ambulance being blocked, leading to delayed rescue and a fatality. So I've completely quit this habit—when stuck in traffic, I wait patiently, putting safety first. I also advise friends not to take chances; while cameras aren't everywhere, the consequences can be severe.
