Can You Tow a Car on the Highway?
4 Answers
Highway towing is allowed. Here are some precautions to take when driving on the highway: Check tire pressure: Before driving on the highway, be sure to check the tire pressure and inspect the tire surface for any damage. Maintain a safe distance: When driving on the highway, it is necessary to keep a sufficient safe distance from the vehicle in front. As the speed increases, the distance from the vehicle in front should also increase. If driving on the highway at night, you can turn on the high beams because highways have median barriers, so using high beams will not affect the vision of oncoming drivers. If you are very close to the vehicle in front, it is recommended to turn off the high beams, as they may impair the vision of the driver ahead, which is not ideal.
From my over ten years of experience driving long-haul trucks, towing on highways is certainly possible, but it must be done by professional towing companies—you can’t just hire someone privately to do it casually. China’s traffic laws stipulate that if your vehicle breaks down on the highway, you can only call for rescue vehicles like 12122 for towing; otherwise, it’s a violation. Why such strict rules? Because towing at high speeds on highways poses significant risks, such as unstable traction causing vehicle sway, brake failure leading to chain collisions, and especially during rainy weather when roads are slippery, accidents are more likely. I’ve personally witnessed a near-disaster during a towing operation when a rope snapped. Safety comes first—if your car breaks down, pull over, turn on your hazard lights, and call the highway administration to arrange for a proper tow. Also, note that towing fees are usually covered by insurance, so there’s no need to take risks to save money. In short, towing is fine, but it must be done by the book.
Last month, our family went on a self-driving trip to Yunnan when our car suddenly stalled on the highway, leaving everyone panicked. We quickly pulled over and called for roadside assistance, and soon a professional tow truck arrived to tow our car to the service area. To be honest, highway towing is allowed, but only through official services—never attempt to tow it yourself or with friends, as it's extremely dangerous due to high speeds and wind resistance, which can easily lead to loss of control. I still remember the rescue technician saying that towing requires keeping a short distance and placing warning signs both in front and behind to prevent collisions with other vehicles. This is all for everyone's safety—high speeds and heavy traffic mean even a small mistake can lead to disaster. Checking your car's condition before trips is crucial—don’t wait until an emergency to regret it. I recommend everyone memorize this number: 12122. If trouble arises, don’t wait a single minute.
High-speed towing is absolutely possible, but safety regulations must be emphasized. I've studied traffic laws—private towing on highways is prohibited; only licensed rescue organizations are authorized to operate. This rule makes sense: with highway speeds often exceeding 100km/h, towing significantly increases accident risks, such as vehicle skidding or rear-end collisions due to improper towing. Statistics show highway towing accidents are several times more frequent than on regular roads. For prevention, I recommend drivers perform regular vehicle maintenance to minimize breakdowns and carry emergency toolkits. If towing is needed, immediately contact the 12122 service rather than handling it yourself. Simply put, towing is possible, but safety first and obey the law.
