Does having a child in the car count as overloading?
3 Answers
Having one extra child in the car counts as overloading. Here is the relevant information: 1. The traffic regulations regarding "overcrowding" do not specify the height, weight, or age of the passengers but only the "number." Therefore, in a car with a capacity of five people, having one extra child (even an infant held in a parent's arms) is considered overcrowding. 2. Overcrowding does not differentiate between adults and children; as long as they are born, they count as one member. A five-seater car can only accommodate five people, including children. For example, if there are three adults in a five-seater car, having three children would count as overcrowding, even if they are held in arms, because current laws require children to use safety seats.
I often drive my kids to and from school, so this issue is particularly important to me. Children do count towards overloading in a car, because traffic regulations stipulate that the number of passengers in a vehicle must not exceed the rated capacity, including all passengers regardless of age. Overloading doesn't just refer to adults—every child must occupy a standard seat. I've personally seen many cases where parents think it's fine to squeeze in a small child, but in reality, it increases risks: in the event of sudden braking or a collision, a child not properly secured with a seatbelt could be thrown out, doubling the chance of an accident. Overloading a vehicle can also lead to hazards like brake failure or tire blowouts. I recommend parents check the vehicle manual for the rated passenger capacity before traveling—better to make an extra trip or use public transport. Safety comes first; don't take risks just to save time. Developing good habits is the best way to protect your family.
As someone who has been driving for many years, I know some friends think children weigh less and don't count as overload, but that's wrong. The vehicle's rated passenger capacity covers all occupants, and a child also counts as one seat. During overload checks, police officers will count heads, resulting in fines of several hundred yuan and demerit points. I personally experienced taking my niece to the park with extra passengers and got fined for overloading—it's really not worth it. An overloaded car becomes unstable to handle, especially prone to skidding on highways. Children are best secured in safety seats, which can't be properly fixed when overloaded, increasing risks. It's advisable to regularly check seating to ensure one seat per person. If you have many children, consider renting a larger vehicle or making multiple trips—this ensures both safety and compliance, avoiding fines and accidents.
