Can You Change a Tire on the Highway?
3 Answers
You cannot change a tire on the highway. Below are the relevant regulations regarding highways: 1. Speed: Pedestrians, non-motorized vehicles, tractors, wheeled special machinery vehicles, articulated buses, full-trailer towing vehicles, and other motor vehicles with a maximum design speed of less than 70 kilometers per hour are not allowed on highways. The maximum speed indicated by highway speed limit signs must not exceed 120 kilometers per hour. 2. Breakdowns: If a motor vehicle breaks down on the highway, the provisions of Article 52 of this law shall apply. Warning signs should be placed at least 150 meters away from the direction of oncoming traffic, and passengers should quickly move to the right shoulder or emergency lane and call the police immediately. In cases where a vehicle experiences sudden failure and cannot operate normally—including a flat tire, engine malfunction, transmission failure, brake failure, steering loss, accidents, or incidents like fires or explosions—if the vehicle cannot operate normally or if the safety of passengers is at risk, it is permissible to pull over onto the emergency lane.
Honestly, changing a tire on the highway is extremely dangerous! I've been in the auto repair industry for nearly 20 years and have seen too many painful lessons. I remember an SUV changing a tire on the emergency lane, only to be rear-ended by a truck behind it, completely wrecking the vehicle. Current regulations require moving outside the guardrail, turning on hazard lights, and placing a warning triangle at least 150 meters away. Many people don't realize that the emergency lane is less than 3 meters wide, and the airflow from passing trucks can knock a person over. If you really experience a flat tire, I suggest calling 122 for rescue immediately. Professional tow trucks come with crash cushion vehicles for escort, making it a hundred times safer than risking a tire change yourself.
Just handled an accident last week where a driver got hit while changing a tire on the highway. Honestly, don't take chances. By law, if your vehicle can move, drive to the service area; if it can't, evacuate immediately. Once during a late-night patrol, I saw a guy changing a tire on the shoulder shaking so badly he couldn't even hold the wrench steady. Now the highway rescue hotline 12122 is available nationwide, and they usually arrive within 30 minutes. If you've driven a truck, you'd know that using the emergency lane at night is like playing Russian roulette—especially in rain with poor visibility, trailing vehicles simply can't stop in time. Remember: Calling for help and waiting for rescue is the smart move.
