Will you be penalized for occupying the overtaking lane on the highway for a long time?
2 Answers
Occupying the overtaking lane for a long time will result in penalty points. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," on highways, especially in the overtaking lane, driving below the minimum speed limit or occupying the overtaking lane for an extended period under normal driving conditions are considered illegal acts, punishable by a 3-point deduction and a fine. The overtaking lane is located in the leftmost lane of the highway. It is only set up when the road meets the standards of a bidirectional six-lane highway. The overtaking lane is designed for vehicles that need to overtake or those traveling at the required speed. However, some drivers occupy the overtaking lane for long periods, forcing vehicles that need to overtake to do so from the relatively slower main lanes. This increases the speed difference between the overtaking vehicle and the vehicles in the main lane, raising the risk of traffic accidents. Precautions for driving on highways: When merging, do not obstruct vehicles traveling in the main lane; always pay attention to roadside and road signs and markings, and drive appropriately to the right, avoiding straddling lanes; maintain a safe longitudinal distance between vehicles, increasing the distance in special weather conditions; when overtaking, estimate the distance and speeds of both vehicles, and under normal conditions, signal left, sound the horn, and overtake from the overtaking lane—overtaking from the right is prohibited.
I often drive on highways, and occupying the overtaking lane for too long can indeed result in penalty points. Last year, a buddy of mine was driving back to his hometown, thinking it would be quicker to stay in the left lane, but he got caught on camera occupying it for over ten minutes. He was fined a few hundred bucks and got three penalty points. The traffic police explained that the overtaking lane is strictly for overtaking—not for lingering—as it can cause congestion or accidents. I’ve learned my lesson and now stick to the right lane on highways, only switching to the left lane to overtake before promptly returning to the right. It’s smoother and safer this way. It saves a lot of hassle, keeps traffic flowing, and avoids other drivers honking impatiently. Following the rules benefits everyone, especially during peak hours when lane discipline is crucial.
