Does carrying an extra child in the car count as overloading?
3 Answers
Carrying one extra child is considered overloading. According to regulations, for passenger vehicles other than commercial buses and school buses, carrying passengers exceeding the approved number by less than 20% will result in a fine and 3 penalty points, while exceeding by 20% or more will incur a fine and 6 penalty points. Below are the relevant regulations on vehicle overloading: 1. Highway Law, Article 77: Vehicles that violate Article 46 by causing damage or pollution to road surfaces or obstructing traffic, or violate Article 51 by using highways as test driving grounds, shall be ordered by the transportation authority to cease the illegal activity. 2. Road Traffic Safety Law, Article 48: The load carried by motor vehicles must comply with the approved load capacity, and overloading is strictly prohibited. The length, width, and height of the load must not violate loading requirements, and the load must not spill or scatter. Motor vehicles carrying oversized, indivisible items that affect traffic safety must operate during the time, route, and speed specified by the traffic management department of the public security authority, with clear signage displayed. For transporting oversized, indivisible items on highways, the Highway Law must also be followed. Motor vehicles transporting explosives, flammable and explosive chemicals, highly toxic, radioactive, or other hazardous materials must obtain approval from the public security authority, operate during the specified time, route, and speed, display warning signs, and take necessary safety measures.
I always thought bringing an extra child wasn't a big deal, especially since little kids don't take up much space. Last family trip, the car could only seat five, but I squeezed in a little nephew anyway. During a sudden brake on the highway, the whole car shook violently. Later, I looked it up and realized that overloading doesn't consider age—every child counts as a passenger. The increased weight extends braking distance and raises rollover risks in emergencies. Many traffic accidents start with overloading, and crowded spaces may also cause kids to hit interior parts and get hurt. Now, my family strictly follows seating limits—we'd rather drive two cars than push our luck. Daily driving safety comes first, and children's safety is even more important. Never risk it for temporary convenience.
Having driven for decades, I've seen too many cases of overloading. Taking an extra child does count as overloading—the law only considers headcount, not distinguishing between adults and children. Vehicle designs account for specific weight and space allocations; an extra person overloads the suspension and increases rollover risk during turns. Once, while helping a neighbor move, I squeezed in an extra child and got stopped by traffic police—fined, with the violation even affecting my insurance record. Rules show no mercy: overloading fines are heavy, and severe cases may lead to demerit points or license suspension. Safety-wise, braking performance drops by half when overloaded, especially in rain or snow, sharply increasing risks. I now never overload and suggest everyone check their owner’s manual for passenger limits.
