Are private cars restricted from driving on highways at night?
3 Answers
Private cars are not restricted from driving on highways at night. However, passenger vehicles with more than five seats are prohibited from driving on highways between 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM. This measure is primarily aimed at preventing fatigue driving by long-distance passenger vehicle drivers, which could lead to serious traffic accidents. Here are the methods for entering and exiting highways: 1. Entering the highway through a manual lane: If you enter the highway through a manual lane, you can exit through a manual lane but not through an ETC lane. This is because the ETC lane does not record the entry information, and the barrier will not lift. You need to use the manual lane. 2. If you enter the highway through an ETC lane, you can exit through either a manual lane or an ETC lane. The barrier at the ETC exit will lift normally because the vehicle's information was recorded at the entry point.
As a seasoned private car driver with over a decade of experience who frequently drives on highways at night, I can assure you that there are no specific nighttime driving restrictions for private vehicles on Chinese highways, so you can rest easy about that. Legally, the rules for driving during the day and night are the same, but nighttime driving is indeed more hazardous due to poor lighting, limited visibility, and driver fatigue. My personal routine includes checking that all lights are functioning properly and maintaining a reasonable speed—avoiding excessive speeds. Additionally, while there's generally less traffic on highways at night, it's crucial to stay vigilant about blind spots, especially around large trucks or other vehicles. I remember last year during a long-distance trip, I became extremely drowsy while driving late at night and had to pull over at a service area to rest before continuing. In summary, the absence of driving restrictions doesn't equate to guaranteed safety; it's essential to prepare adequately—perhaps bring some coffee to stay alert and take regular breaks to stretch your legs.
As a mother of two, I often take my family on nighttime highway trips. Private cars are generally not subject to traffic restrictions on highways at night, that's for sure. However, I must emphasize that nighttime driving carries more safety risks, especially when traveling with children. Insufficient lighting affects visibility, making it harder to judge the movements of surrounding vehicles, and I'm always worried about being dazzled by the high beams of oncoming traffic. For safety measures, I make sure the headlights and brake lights are functioning properly, fasten the seatbelt, and take a ten-minute break every so often. Even when the kids are asleep, I don't let my guard down—I stay alert by listening to music. In the long run, developing good habits is a must.
