Driving in the oncoming lane is punishable

Driving into the oncoming lane is a fine in 2019

What is the fine for driving into the oncoming lane?

Penalty for crossing double solid markings when turning left

Article 12.16. Part 2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation

Penalty for driving into the oncoming lane when going around an obstacle, driving onto oncoming tram tracks when overtaking

Article 12.15. Part 3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation

Penalty for entering the oncoming lane when not passing, driving onto oncoming tram tracks not when passing

Article 12.15. Part 4 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation

Penalty for repeated entry into the oncoming lane not while passing, repeated entry onto oncoming tram tracks not while passing

Article 12.15., Part 5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation

Fine for driving in the opposite direction on a one-way road

Article 12.16., Part 3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation

Repeatedly driving in the opposite direction on a one-way road.

Article 12.16., part 3.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation

What is the fine for driving into oncoming traffic/oncoming traffic in 2019?

In 2019, drivers will be fined under a number of articles for driving into the oncoming lane. The fine and article depend on the specific circumstances in which the offense was committed: whether the driver entered the oncoming lane, whether the driver entered the oncoming lane intended for minibuses and taxis, whether the driver drove into the oncoming tram lane, drove around a slow-moving vehicle, or simply overtook “overtaking prohibited” sign. Depending on the danger and severity of the violation, the fine will range from 1,000 rubles to deprivation of rights for a year.

An article that describes in detail all possible options for entering the oncoming lane is called Fines for violating the “No Overtaking” sign.

What are the penalties for driving into oncoming traffic?

1. Drifting into the oncoming lane when overtaking on the highway

The most common case is when a driver drives into the oncoming lane when overtaking on the highway, where it is prohibited: overtaking is prohibited in the area of the sign or through continuous lane(s).

For this violation, traffic police officers will fine the driver under Parts 4 and 5 of Article 12.15 of the Administrative Code, the fine will be 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights from 4 to 6 months.

2. Drifting into the oncoming lane when overtaking at an intersection

Drivers often forget that overtaking at an intersection is also prohibited if the intersection is controlled, or the driver is not driving on the main road at an uncontrolled intersection. In this case, the driver will also be fined under Parts 4 and 5 of Article 12.15 of the Administrative Code. The fine is also 5000 rubles.

3. Driving through a roundabout in the opposite direction

This violation is punishable under Parts 4 and 5 of Article 12.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. The fine is also 5000 rubles.

4. Entering oncoming traffic when making a left turn

Drivers need to be especially careful when making left turns at intersections or in areas where a double solid line breaks. There is a misconception that when performing this maneuver, you don’t have to monitor the vehicle’s trajectory. However, you can earn a fine for this maneuver. After all, this action is interpreted as entering a lane intended for oncoming traffic. Punishment - a fine of 1000-1500 rubles. under Article 12.16 Part 2.

5. Driving in the oncoming lane on a one-way road.

The penalty for this violation will be 5,000 rubles, or deprivation of rights from 4 months for the first violation, up to a year for the second one. The driver’s actions fall under Article 12.6 Part 3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

This violation is interpreted in the same way as driving in the oncoming lane. The punishment in this case is 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for a period of 4 to 6 months in the first case. In case of repeated violation, the driver will be deprived of his license for a year.

Punishment for driving into oncoming traffic

It is difficult for a person to fill out five legislative norms and ten exceptions to traffic rules at once. For this reason, the issue of punishment for driving into oncoming traffic can be described in simple and easy-to-remember formulas.

There are two main types of punishment for “oncoming traffic”:

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Drifting into the oncoming lane: fine, what is considered driving into oncoming traffic, what is the penalty for such a violation

For driving into the oncoming lane, the fine in 2019 remains the same; as a rule, it is deprivation of rights. Let's understand the situations, what is driving into oncoming traffic and what is not.

It should be noted that driving into oncoming traffic in order to overtake vehicles moving ahead is the most dangerous maneuver in the arsenal of motorists. By using it, drivers endanger not only their health, but also the health of those people who conscientiously “walk” in the proper lane. Therefore, the most desperate motorists risk losing their driver's license altogether for abusing overtaking in the wrong places.

When can you drive into oncoming traffic?

The current automobile legislation of the Russian Federation is very vague in explaining in what situations driving into oncoming traffic is permitted and, in general, what is considered driving into oncoming traffic. Those who like to "get dirty" take advantage of this to avoid paying a fine. You can’t find exact instructions in the laws, but they still set some rules.

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There will be no punishment for driving into the oncoming lane in 2019 if:

A motorist is driving along a road that has no markings at all. In this case, what is not prohibited is allowed: if you don’t see a sign prohibiting overtaking nearby, you can safely make the maneuver (but only if the current situation on the road allows it).
A motorist is driving on a three-lane road. Such roads are rare, and if the driver finds himself on it, he can consider it a pleasant bonus. The middle lane of such a road is designed specifically for road maneuvers. Any driver can use it, regardless of the direction of travel. The main thing: do not accidentally end up in the far opposite lane - this will already be a serious traffic violation.

The rules seem pretty clear - where does the aforementioned vagueness lie? Here's where: according to traffic rules, overtaking is prohibited by special restrictive signs. Therefore, there is no sign - you can overtake, and there will be no fine for driving into oncoming traffic. Also, according to the traffic rules, when entering the oncoming lane, the motorist is obliged to take into account the width of the roadway and the dimensions of his vehicle, but there is no information on what criteria he should focus on.

Such vagueness of traffic rules transfers them to the category of recommendations, which, as we know, experienced “drivers” do not need.

When you can’t drive into oncoming traffic

In 2019, a fine will follow for driving into the oncoming lane if:

The markings divide the road along which the motorist is moving into an even number of lanes (usually two or four). This limitation is established by clause 9.2 of the Traffic Regulations. Overtaking on a highway, for example, with two lanes, is only possible if there is a permit sign.
There are markings prohibiting maneuver or a “No overtaking” sign. In this case, the width of the canvas and the number of stripes do not matter at all.

What threatens a careless driver?

What are the dangers of driving into the oncoming lane? One of two measures is applied to the violator:

Revocation of a driver's license.
Fine.

What is the current fine for driving into the oncoming lane?

It’s worth starting with the fact that fines increased significantly in 2015. If previously reckless drivers could get away with a symbolic sum of 1 thousand rubles, then in 2019 the fine for driving into oncoming traffic will be as much as 5 thousand rubles. Such sanctions are a sensitive blow to the wallet of a middle-income Russian and a serious motivation to behave carefully on the road.

Important: it doesn’t matter whether the motorist crossed a solid road with one wheel or two – the fine is the same.

Deprivation of a driver's license for a period of 4 to 6 months occurs if the camera recorded the same car driving into the oncoming lane for the second time in a year (relapse).

If a police officer has personally recorded a drive into oncoming traffic, he can choose what punishment to apply to the violator - a fine of 5 thousand rubles or deprivation of rights. You don’t need to have a wild imagination to imagine how traffic police inspectors can enrich themselves through such a right. The stakes are especially high if the driver is caught by the inspector illegally overtaking for the second time - in this situation, the traffic police officer has the right to deprive the motorist of his license for a whole year.

Please note: the norms of the Code of Administrative Offenses apply to drivers only if the violation they committed did not lead to a traffic accident and human casualties. If the violator provoked a traffic police accident in which someone was injured, he will not get away with deprivation of his rights and a fine - he will be tried to the fullest extent of the Criminal Code.

The inspector is wrong - how can the driver protect himself?

The situation when traffic police officers stop a decent driver and accuse him of crossing a solid road seems absurd - the motorist risks losing his license out of nowhere. However, this happens all the time.

Fortunately, the driver has ways to defend himself against unfounded police charges. A motorist who finds himself in such a ridiculous situation needs to follow these recommendations:

You cannot immediately sign a protocol on an administrative violation. Most likely, the inspector will not reflect the driver’s opinions regarding the “pseudo-violation” in the report. The motorist’s task is to carefully read this document and mark his disagreement with the circumstances described by the inspector and the need to involve a lawyer in the case. If you have to go to court, the protocol will be the key evidence - if there is a driver’s signature on it (in fact, with his consent), there is nothing to argue about.
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Now Roadgid devices have penetrated the vehicles of even the most conservative motorists, which is completely justified: video recording is an “iron” argument, you can’t argue with it. Advice: do not transfer the recording from the registrar for storage or even for viewing by traffic police inspectors. You will deprive yourself of your “ace in the hole” and most likely you will not get the recording back.
The motorist should definitely warn the inspector that he will appeal the case to the prosecutor's office. Perhaps the driver's assertiveness in wanting to defend justice will make the police officer wonder whether he is really right.

Based on the results of the “violation”, the driver must have a copy of the protocol in his hands. With this document, as well as with all kinds of evidence that can confirm the absence of a violation, the driver needs to go to the prosecutor's office.

It is important to do this within 10 days from the date of the “violation”. If the deadline is missed for a good reason (say, due to illness of the motorist), it can be reinstated. The procedure is the same as, for example, when reinstating the deadline for an appeal.

Another way to avoid deprivation of rights

Even if the driver actually drove into oncoming traffic, he has the opportunity to escape punishment. According to GOST, between the intermittent markings 1.5 (at which overtaking is possible) and the solid line there must be a marking 1.6, warning that a solid line will soon begin. Marking 1.6 looks the same as dashed, but the length of the lines is 3 times the distance between these lines.

If there were no 1.6 markings and the 1.5 line immediately became solid, the driver can claim that he was not warned about the impossibility of overtaking. There is a clear violation of GOST, which means it will not be so easy to file a claim with the driver.

A motorist needs to act like this:

take a photograph of the transition of the markings to solid;
photograph the kilometer pole (if there is one);
reflect in the protocol that the violation was committed precisely because of incorrect markings.

Extreme necessity - what are we talking about?

The term “extreme necessity” appears in Article 2 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation. This article actually gives drivers the opportunity to exercise the right to freedom of movement guaranteed by the Constitution. What is it about?

An extreme necessity when entering the oncoming lane arises, for example, if the main lane is clogged with a broken down bus - in such a situation, the driver has no choice but to make a detour through the solid one. The paradox is that if the motorist stops and waits for the bus to continue moving, he will again become a violator. In fact, he impedes the freedom of movement of other citizens: those who gradually begin to form a “traffic jam” behind him.

If you believe the explanations of the traffic police about driving into the oncoming lane, the driver has the right to cause harm to the state through illegal actions if the damage caused is less than what was prevented. Thanks to this postulate of the Code of Administrative Offenses, motorists can actually break the law without fear of remorse.

Although there are many ways to get away with driving into oncoming traffic, you shouldn’t tempt fate. The consequences of a violation are more serious than a fine - the violator endangers the lives and health of people.

Consequences of driving into the oncoming lane

Driving a car out of its lane and then driving into oncoming traffic creates a dangerous situation on the road. Even in the absence of restrictive markings and prohibitory signs, it is recommended to resort to this maneuver as little as possible. Drifting into oncoming traffic in an area where it is prohibited by traffic rules threatens the driver with a monetary penalty or deprivation of his license for up to a year. The size of the fine for unauthorized driving in the oncoming lane depends on the characteristics of the situation, the behavior of the offender, and his reputation.

What is driving into the oncoming lane according to traffic rules?

Traffic on the roadway can be one-way, when all cars go in the same direction, or two-way - vehicles drive parallel, but in opposite directions. In the second option, vehicles, leaving their flow to the left, enter the lane of oncoming traffic. The set of traffic rules clearly states in what situations such maneuvers are permissible, when they are prohibited, and what threatens drivers who violate the rules. When planning to leave your zone, especially one limited by law, it is important to remember that such an action can result not only in a fine or deprivation of your driving license for driving into oncoming traffic, but also in human casualties.

When turning or turning

Any maneuvers that involve entering the lane of oncoming traffic must be performed strictly in those places where this is not prohibited by markings or road signs. Only in such a situation the driver is not in danger. Even a short stay of a car in the path of traffic can lead to an accident. For this reason, driving into oncoming traffic when making a left turn or a U-turn in violation of the markings should at least be carried out perpendicularly. Then the punishment will be limited to a fine of 1-1.5 thousand rubles.

In a situation where the turn or u-turn was followed by at least a short movement of the vehicle in the oncoming lane, the punishment will be more severe. It provides for a fine of 5 thousand rubles or restriction of the right to drive a vehicle for 4-6 months. The same consequences can occur when performing a maneuver along an oblique rather than perpendicular trajectory (at the discretion of the inspector). A U-turn through a double continuous or single continuous marking is punished equally. In the first case, no more stringent sanctions are provided.

Avoiding obstacles

An obstacle is any stationary object on the roadway that prevents a vehicle from following its lane. The exceptions are traffic jams, incorrectly parked cars, or cars simply stopped for some reason. If driving on the wrong side is caused by the need to go around an obstacle, avoiding a collision with it or creating a more dangerous situation, the traffic police fine will be 1-1.5 thousand rubles. In cases where traffic is regulated by additional signs or by a traffic police inspector, the driver is not given a penalty at all.

For driving in the oncoming lane, provoked by the driver’s desire to avoid a traffic jam, he is subject to a fine of 5 thousand rubles or deprivation of his license for up to six months.

At the crossroads

The intersection is intended for U-turns, turns and transitions to other roads, but practice shows that many drivers violate the rules for its use. In particular, when turning left at an intersection, you need to reach a place where the markings allow you to perform the maneuver. Otherwise, it will be regarded as an intersection of a solid line. You also need to wait for the moment when such an action does not create interference for anyone. A vehicle entering the oncoming lane at an intersection is permitted only if the car is walking on the main road and observing the markings.

It is strictly forbidden to maneuver at an uncontrolled intersection while driving on a secondary road. In such a situation, the driver will be fined for driving in the oncoming lane in the amount of 5 thousand rubles. It is also possible to impose restrictions on driving a vehicle for up to 6 months.

Overtaking on oncoming traffic while crossing a solid line or despite prohibiting signs is one of the most serious offenses. During such a maneuver, the vehicle ends up in oncoming traffic for an extended period, becoming a source of danger. The law punishes not only direct violation of traffic rules; in a number of controversial situations, the driver can also suffer serious punishment. In particular, it is illegal to begin or complete a maneuver by crossing a continuous marking line. Depending on the specifics of overtaking in oncoming traffic, the violator may be given a fine of 500 to 5,000 rubles or a license restriction for 4-6 months.

The exception is situations when the driver performed the action according to the rules and clearly calculated everything, but the markings were applied with violations. It is also considered a mitigating circumstance if the car did not have time to return to its lane due to the presence of an obstacle on it.

The consequences of a vehicle entering oncoming traffic threaten to be so catastrophic that even for driving into oncoming traffic with one wheel, the punishment can be a fine of 5 thousand rubles or deprivation of rights for six months. In some cases, if the driver manages to prove with the help of video materials that he only touched the markings, and parts of the car did not go into the oncoming lane, the penalty is mitigated. In particular, a fine of 500 rubles or more may be issued for driving on a continuous road.

One Way

Following a one-way road in the direction opposite to the flow of traffic is regarded as a direct exit into oncoming traffic. Such a maneuver is punishable in the most severe manner - a fine of 5 thousand rubles or deprivation of rights for up to 6 months.

Reverse movement

In populated areas with very dense traffic, reversible lanes are actively used. They are regulated by special signs and traffic lights, which allow you to change the direction of flow at will. As a result, it is possible to achieve unloading of a certain line on which a traffic jam has formed, due to the spare lane. When using such sections of the road, drivers must exercise increased attention to avoid accidentally driving in the oncoming lane. Otherwise, their actions risk falling under non-compliance with a number of articles of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.

Ignoring a traffic light signal, as a result of which the driver drove into the oncoming lane, will cost a fine of 1 thousand rubles.

An incorrect exit from such a lane is fraught with a penalty of 500 rubles. Driving a vehicle into the oncoming lane when the traffic light is off is punishable by a fine of 5 thousand rubles.

Oncoming tram tracks

The legislation provides for a maximum fine for driving a vehicle into oncoming traffic if the car then enters the oncoming tram lane. This qualifies in the same way as overtaking while crossing a solid line. The consequences of the maneuver are a fine of 5 thousand rubles or deprivation of rights for a period of 4 months to six months.

The same penalty is provided if the driver drove in that direction even a few centimeters and turned left from the oncoming lane. Citizens who do not want to waste even a few minutes often engage in such maneuvers, creating dangerous situations on the roadway.

Driving into oncoming traffic without violating

There are situations in which driving into oncoming traffic is not considered a violation and does not entail administrative liability. The driver must not only know about his rights, but also remember that in the event of an unusual or controversial situation, he himself must take care of collecting evidence of the correctness of his actions. Photographs, videos, and witness statements are considered as such.

Situations in which driving a vehicle in the oncoming lane is not considered a violation:

absence of prohibitory signs - if there are no restrictions in the form of continuous markings or a road sign “overtaking is prohibited”, driving into oncoming traffic is possible. The main thing is to carry it out with extreme caution and within the framework of traffic rules;
inconsistency of markings and signs – it happens that the lines on the roadway and signs contradict each other, confusing traffic participants. According to the law, in such situations it is necessary to perform maneuvers in accordance with the signs, they are considered a priority. But if you ignore them, you will have to suffer administrative punishment;
the presence of a traffic controller - in such areas it is necessary to follow the instructions of the inspector and temporary signs, if any, neglecting the markings and signs;
narrow road - if there are no markings on the road surface, then it can be two or four lanes. In the latter case, they rarely do without dividing lines, so most often questions about the possibility of driving into oncoming traffic arise on two-lane roads. In such a situation, the absence of a continuous line allows you to freely enter oncoming traffic if this does not interfere with the traffic going along it;
road with three lanes - if three lanes are separated on the road using broken lines, then drivers of both outer lanes have the right to enter the middle lane as necessary, for example, to overtake;
bypassing an obstacle - if possible, it is recommended to go around an obstacle on the right, if the width of the road allows or there is a shoulder. Otherwise, you can go around a stationary object on the left, entering the lane of oncoming traffic. It is important to ensure that such actions do not lead to negative consequences.

If you are not sure of the legality of your actions, it is better not to drive into the oncoming lane. The main thing is not to repeat them in such a situation after other drivers who may deliberately commit a violation.

What is the fine for driving into the oncoming lane?

The amount of the fine for driving a vehicle into the oncoming lane depends on the type of violation, its consequences, and the specifics of the situation. It can range from 500 rubles to 5 thousand rubles. It is extremely rare to get by with a verbal warning for such a maneuver.

The inspector’s attitude to the situation often plays an important role in determining the final amount. For this reason, it is not recommended to be rude to a traffic police officer; it is better to calmly point out mitigating circumstances, and, if possible, confirm them with evidence or testimony of witnesses.

Important point! For crossing a solid road into oncoming traffic, the driver can only face a fine if the maneuver was recorded by a camera. The court can make a decision to temporarily suspend the validity of a driving license only if a report is drawn up by a traffic police inspector. The same authority sets the period of deprivation of rights.

Repeated violation

If the car repeatedly enters the lane of oncoming traffic, the penalty automatically takes the form of suspension of the driving license for 1 year. According to the rules prescribed in the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, an unlawful act of this type is considered repeated if it was committed within a year after the end of the previous punishment. To avoid deprivation of your license for driving into oncoming traffic, you can try to negotiate with the inspector drawing up the protocol. Only evidence of the presence of mitigating circumstances will help with this; traffic police officers rarely give in to the persuasion of persistent violators.

Fine for driving into the oncoming lane

Drifting into the oncoming lane is punishable by a fine or deprivation of your driver's license. This is one of the most common and dangerous traffic violations. In connection with the increasing negative statistics, some changes were made to the Rules and the Code of Administrative Offenses, providing for a fine for driving into the oncoming penalty lane and for failure to comply with markings 1.6.

Types of violations and liability

Violation of road markings and non-compliance with the Rules can mean many events that prevent compliance with all norms and requirements for behavior on the road.

When a driver enters the oncoming lane through a solid lane:

Drifting into oncoming traffic - penalty for overtaking

The penalty for oncoming traffic is provided:

Part 4 of Article 12.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (overtaking while moving across a solid line)
clause 9.2 of the traffic rules (overtaking by crossing into the oncoming lane on a road with traffic in 2 directions and 4 or more lanes)
clause 9.3 of the traffic rules (overtaking in the leftmost lane on a road with three-lane markings)
clause 11.4 of the traffic rules (and overtaking at pedestrian crossings, bridges, railway crossings, at intersections)

If you nevertheless overtake while crossing the 1.6 marking, you will be given a fine of at least 5,000 rubles or your license will be taken away for up to 6 months. Repeated violation results in deprivation of driver's license for up to 1 year. This can be avoided if your violation is recorded on camera. In this situation, you will only be given the maximum fine and retain your driver's license.

Avoiding obstacles and driving into oncoming traffic

In other words, avoiding an obstacle that is not clearly defined in the traffic rules. However, the Code of Administrative Offenses states that any stationary object that interferes with movement straight along the designated road lane and which cannot be passed on the right can be called such.

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Traffic jams and slow-moving vehicles that do not allow faster movement do not belong to this category, and an attempt to bypass such “obstacles” through the oncoming lane while crossing solid 1.6 is punishable by a fine of 1,000 to 1,500 rubles under Part 3 of Article 12.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation .

Article 12.16 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation provides for a less serious punishment for violating markings on a four-lane road, prescribing drivers a fine of no more than 500 rubles.

Penalty for driving into oncoming traffic when turning left

This maneuver is permitted only at intersections in the absence of prohibitory signs. Otherwise, the inspector has the right to issue you a fine of 1,500 rubles.

Penalty for turning into oncoming traffic

Operation is permitted only from the leftmost lane (if there are several marking lines). If, while making a U-turn on a multi-lane road, the oncoming line was caught, the fine for the violation will be from 1,000 to 1,500 rubles.

Entering a one-way road

It often occurs when the driver decides to drive under a prohibitory sign, popularly called a “brick”. If this was a violation of traffic regulations on the territory of a gas station, shopping center parking lots and other adjacent areas, the fine will not exceed 500 rubles.

For driving on a one-way road - deprivation of your driver's license for a period of 4 to 6 months, as driving on the wrong side is considered to be driving. In case of repeated violation, the time for which your rights will be taken away increases to 1 year.

Changing lanes into a reversible lane

When entering the lane of oncoming traffic intended for reversing direction:

if the traffic light is not working
if entering the reversible lane is prohibited (red light is on)
did not change lanes when the traffic light warned (the yellow signal is on (arrow to the right)).

The fine for driving into the oncoming lane will be 5,000 rubles or deprivation of your driver's license.

When can you assert your rights?

It is not always the case that the movement in the oncoming lane indicated in the protocol actually is such. For example, the Code of Administrative Offenses clearly distinguishes between the situations of “driving in the oncoming lane” and “wrong turn in violation of markings and signs.”

That is, if the driver crossed the dividing strip (turning across a solid one), this does not mean that he started moving in the oncoming lane. At the same time, traffic police officers periodically turn the situation not in favor of car owners, interpreting the violation at their discretion. The prescribed fine for turning around through a solid marking line is no more than 1,500 rubles.

Traveling onto oncoming tram tracks

There is much disagreement on this issue. Traffic regulations regulate the procedure for traffic in the area of rail tracks in paragraphs 8.5 and 8.8, which state that a U-turn must take place from them, and also that before a U-turn it is necessary to allow passing vehicles to pass, regardless of whether adjacent vehicles have rails or not.

If you drove onto tram tracks with the opposite direction of travel, then the penalty for driving into the oncoming lane will be at least 5,000 rubles or deprivation of your driver’s license for a period of 4 to 6 months.

Video: Deprivation of license or fine for driving into oncoming traffic?

Results

The general trend of penalties shows that in most cases you can receive a fine of at least 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for a period of four to six months for driving in the oncoming lane after crossing a solid line. Therefore, it is much easier to try to comply with traffic rules.

With the increase in the number of accidents caused by motorists driving into the oncoming lane, punitive measures by traffic police officers are intensifying. This gives motorists a reason to think about more than just keeping their driver’s license or money in their wallet. It is necessary to realize how many victims such a rash act can entail.

Driving into the oncoming lane - fine in 2018

There are cases when vehicle drivers in a hurry violate traffic rules: they drive at very high speeds, overtake in the wrong place, driving into the oncoming lane. For such actions, the driver will face a fine, the amount of which depends on the circumstances under which the traffic rules were violated.

Fines for driving into the oncoming lane

In accordance with simultaneously two subparagraphs of the Code of Administrative Offenses (Article 12.15, paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and Article 12.16, paragraphs 3, 3.1), as amended in 2018, driving vehicles in a lane that involves movement in the opposite direction is not allowed , namely in the following situations:

In a situation where a car is moving along the oncoming lane or rails for a tram traveling in the opposite direction, if any stationary obstacle is detected along the route, the violator is fined for this act in the amount of 1.0 - 1.5 thousand rubles.

Detention of a violator for driving into the oncoming lane.

In a situation where a car enters the opposite lane for any other reason, the penalty is expected to be 5.0 thousand rubles, or the vehicle owner will be deprived of his driver’s license for 4-6 months.
Repeated violation of this regulation of the Code of Administrative Offenses is punishable by suspension of the driver’s document authorizing the operation of a vehicle for a period of 12 months. However, if the offense did not come under the gaze of a state road traffic inspection officer, but was detected by a device for remote detection of offenses, the penalty will again be 5.0 thousand rubles.
A maneuver followed by a left turn or U-turn associated with entering a part of the roadway intended for opposite traffic is subject to penalties of 1.0 to 1.5 thousand rubles.
The most severe offense is considered if the driver is driving a car on a one-way road in the opposite direction, he is immediately subject to a penalty of 5.0 thousand rubles, or confiscation of the driving license for 4 to 6 months.
If the offense is repeated, the deprivation will be for a period of 12 months, but driving “under the camera” will still entail the same monetary punishment - a fine for driving on the wrong side of 5.0 thousand rubles.

Driving into the oncoming lane fine 2018 - relatively harsh types of administrative penalties imposed on drivers for such offenses are fully justified by the requirements for traffic safety on Russian roads. After all, moving backwards means performing one of the most reckless maneuvers of a driver, since when an accident occurs, the driver simply has nowhere to go, and the speeds of the two cars are added up at the moment of the collision.

These fines and administrative penalties are currently quite high and are not subject to revision or increase in the near future.

Cases when the driver has the right to move in the oncoming lane

Any section of the Code of Administrative Offenses must be read in conjunction with the requirements for road markings and prohibitory road signs. Thus, the following are not violations of sections of the Administrative Code 12.15 and 12.16:

The movement of a car along a narrow part of the road intended for travel, which has only a couple of driving lanes with no markings, when drivers independently visually determine the roadway for themselves, and when a barrier is detected or to overtake, they can enter this lane if there is no traffic on it other vehicles traveling in the opposite direction.
When driving on a two-lane road with intermittent markings between passing and oncoming traffic, driving into oncoming traffic is also allowed.
Driving on a highway that has three lanes intended for traffic, which always have markings, and the central lane is alternately intended for passing and oncoming traffic, as evidenced by the alternation and smooth change of markings from dotted straight lines to solid ones. Typically, these roads have warning signs about the beginning of a passing lane indicating its length, and 100 meters away - about the end of the lane and the beginning for cars moving in the opposite direction.

Thus, in all these cases, the driver is allowed to drive in the lane used for oncoming vehicles without any consequences for himself, provided that he follows the laws and rules of safe driving and ensures that there is no oncoming traffic.

Situations when oncoming traffic is not allowed

All other cases not specified in the previous section prohibit the movement of cars or trucks in the oncoming lane, namely:

If there is a single line separating oncoming traffic from passing traffic, regardless of the number of lanes for driving in each direction.

In situations where the hard surface of the highway intended for driving has 4, 6, 8 or more lanes of traffic in the passing and reverse directions, since when overtaking or going around a fixed barrier, you can always use the passing lane located on the left. Often such roads have concrete or metal barriers that separate the flows instead of continuous markings.
The same applies to a roadway with three lanes, when the road markings are intermittent and oncoming traffic should drive on the left side.
If there is a “No Overtaking” sign on the side of the road, which, as a rule, is combined with continuous markings separating the flow of traffic. Typically, such a sign is installed in places where the road turns with a limited visibility area, when driving on a bridge or when there is an intersection.
Along with driving on the opposite part of the roadway in the presence of continuous markings or a prohibitory sign “Turning left is prohibited”, as well as “Turning is prohibited”, it is not allowed to carry out these maneuvers with driving into oncoming traffic.

All situations on roads that fit the above description are punishable by administrative penalties in accordance with Art. 12. 15 and art. 12. 16 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation in case of detection of a violation.

What steps should a motorist take when a penalty is imposed on him?

By violating the requirements for driving in oncoming traffic, drivers risk being fined both if they accidentally come into the view of traffic police officers, and as a result of the arbitrary detection of this offense.

Since these chapters of the Code of Administrative Offenses prescribe in many points the deprivation of a driver’s license. This means that a fine or imprisonment for driving into oncoming traffic is a decision left at the discretion and understanding of traffic police inspectors, who, before filing a violation, are required to record it using a recorder installed at the post or in the traffic police vehicle. Suspension of the validity of the driver's license occurs at the site of the violation with the preliminary drawing up of a protocol and the issuance of a temporary certificate, valid until the official deprivation begins. After all administrative procedures have been carried out at the scene of the violation, the materials are sent to the magistrate’s court, during which the judge either confirms the actions of the traffic police officer or cancels them, fining the violator. After an official court ruling, a temporary driver's license is confiscated from the driver, and the official period of deprivation begins, during which the driver has no right to be allowed to drive a car. Upon expiration of the deprivation, the motorist must contact the traffic police department at the place of deprivation and get his license back.

Drawing up a protocol on an administrative violation.

In a situation where a protocol for driving into oncoming traffic is written at the scene of the violation, a fine is assigned in accordance with the relevant sections of the Code of Administrative Offenses. The order issued to the driver displays the necessary details for paying the fine in various ways, which the traffic police officer is also required to provide.

In the case of photo or video recording of a violation using cameras installed on the road, the driver receives an envelope with a letter at his registration address, which contains information about the fine for driving into the oncoming lane, how much was charged, payment details and the photo recording of the violation itself with good readable license plates.

Also, some time after the commission of an offense (from 2 to 14 days), the fine begins to be displayed in the electronic database of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate or in the personal account of the State Services, if the violator is registered on the portal.

Crime cameras

In all cases, payment can be made in the following ways:

Payment at a branch of any commercial bank by filling out a payment notice at the place of payment and transferring it to the cashier along with the funds. After paying the penalty, the driver should send a copy or an electronic scan of the payment receipt by email or regular mail to the address specified in the protocol.
Online payment is possible on the State Services website if you have an account using a credit or debit card (if available), as well as through electronic payment systems. For the first 20 days after the collection appears in the database, payment is made at a 50% discount.
It is possible to pay directly through the browser immediately after completing the procedure for searching for the relevant decree by number or by entering the personal data of the offender, or by car registration data. For the first three weeks, the same discount applies to payment of collections as at State Services.

Service for paying traffic police fines on the State Services website.

If the fine for driving on the wrong side is not paid within the first two weeks, the 50% benefit disappears, and the offender is required to pay the full cost of collection within 30 days. If this does not happen, all documents must be sent to the magistrate’s court, where a decree on collection is issued. Such a decision is submitted to the authorities of the Federal Bailiff Service of the Russian Federation (FSSP), on the basis of which the violator in any case becomes a debtor in court, which is confirmed by the execution form drawn up by the bailiff, after which the debtor’s data is published on the website. Using the search content of the site, the debtor has the right to see himself in the database and make a payment.

Only the price of the issue becomes much higher - 100 percent of the financial punishment combined with the enforcement fee, which is usually 1.0 thousand rubles.

In case of repeated refusal to repay penalties, as well as their accumulation, the bailiff may impose sanctions on the debtor’s car in the form of a ban on registration actions, or even restrict his travel abroad if the amount of all debts exceeds 10.0 thousand rubles. After payment of collection and enforcement fees, as a rule, the debt disappears from the database within 7-30 days.

Driver actions that prevent the imposition of penalties

Any driver should always remember that a fine for oncoming traffic or temporary withdrawal of driving license plays a much smaller role than the safety of life, since in the event of a head-on collision at least at a speed of 50 km/h, the risk of death exceeds 90%.

Impact force in a frontal collision at a speed of 50 km/h.

Therefore, in order to avoid being fined for oncoming traffic, you must comply with traffic regulations, follow all the requirements of symbols that prevent overtaking, maneuvering to the left or in the opposite direction in the wrong place, and also monitor changes in road markings along the way.

Of course, this does not indicate a complete ban on driving in oncoming traffic - the need to perform such maneuvers periodically appears on the road, it’s just that maximum concentration, an increased level of attention, studying the entire traffic situation both behind and in front of a moving car will be mandatory before leaving into oncoming traffic.