Does Carrying Children Count as Overloading?
3 Answers
If a vehicle exceeds the approved passenger capacity, carrying children is considered overloading. Here is relevant information about overloading: Hazards: Overloading also significantly contributes to traffic accidents. Due to overloading, the vehicle's control capability is reduced, making it prone to traffic accidents. Meanwhile, overloading damages roads and affects vehicle speed. Some overloaded vehicles can only crawl at speeds of 10-20 km/h, greatly impairing road transport capacity and reducing vehicle transport efficiency. Penalties for Overloading: Driving a commercial passenger vehicle exceeding 20% of the approved capacity results in a 12-point demerit; driving a commercial passenger vehicle exceeding the approved capacity by less than 20%, or driving other passenger vehicles exceeding the approved capacity by over 20%, results in a 6-point demerit. Driving passenger vehicles other than commercial passenger vehicles or school buses exceeding the approved capacity by less than 20% results in a 3-point demerit.
In traffic regulations, children are definitely counted as part of the overload. As someone who drives frequently, I have a deep understanding of this. The vehicle's passenger capacity is fixed—for example, a five-seater can only accommodate five people, including all children. Regardless of the child's size or whether they are being held, each child occupies one seat. During checks, the police simply count heads, and even one extra child can result in a penalty, posing safety risks. I remember a friend who went on a trip with three kids and was fined for overloading. The explanation was that vehicle load calculations are based on seat design, regardless of age. Overloading affects braking performance and increases accident risks. It's crucial to follow the rules, plan the number of passengers in advance, and avoid taking chances. Safety should always come first—even if children are light, they still count. This serves as an important reminder for everyone.
From a safety perspective, children definitely count as overloading. As a father of two, my daily experience tells me the risks are significant. Each additional person increases the vehicle's burden. Though small, children occupy seats and seatbelt resources, affecting the center of gravity stability. In a collision, unsecured children are prone to injury, and overloading also extends braking distance. Vehicle designs account for total load capacity, with children counted equally as adults. I always emphasize to my family: check seating limits before trips, and never let children sit on laps. The rules are simple and clear—they protect everyone's safety. Overloading is not only illegal but life-threatening. I recommend using child seats for secure fastening and educating children to develop good habits.
