Does having an extra child in the car count as overloading?

[MacCaden]

Having an extra child in the car counts as overloading. Here is a detailed introduction to the hazards of vehicle overloading: 1. Damage to road infrastructure: Overloaded vehicles severely damage road infrastructure. Since the load of overloaded vehicles far exceeds the design capacity of roads and bridges, it leads to pavement damage, bridge fractures, and significantly shortens their service life. 2. Increased mass: Greater mass results in increased inertia, longer braking distances, and higher risks. If severely overloaded, it may cause tire blowouts, sudden deviation, brake failure, rollovers, and other accidents due to excessive tire load and deformation. 3. Increased psychological burden and stress: It is more prone to operational errors.

[MacLeonardo]

Once I took my child to the park, with five adults and one child in the car. Initially, I thought the space was sufficient, but we were pulled over by traffic police for overloading. After checking the regulations, I learned that both adults and children count as one person each. Overloading not only results in fines and penalty points but is also highly dangerous. As a parent who frequently chauffeurs children, I now pay extra attention to the number of seats in the car, as vehicles are designed with a specific passenger limit. Overloading can affect braking and handling. Although children are smaller, they are more vulnerable in accidents, so it's essential to secure them with child safety seats. After that incident, I spent some money installing child locks to ensure every trip is safe and compliant. I strongly recommend planning seating arrangements in advance to avoid unnecessary trouble.

[Nascimento]

Having driven for over a decade, I've witnessed numerous accidents caused by overloading. An extra child in the car definitely counts as overloading—legally, the seating capacity is determined by headcount, regardless of age. Getting caught by the police means a fine of several hundred yuan and three demerit points, not to mention the greater safety risks: overloading increases braking distance and makes the car prone to losing control during turns. If a child isn’t wearing a seatbelt, sudden braking could cause them to hit the front seat and get injured. I make it a habit to count passengers before every trip, ensuring everyone has a designated seat, especially when traveling with kids—securing them in a child seat in the middle position is safer. Remember, taking chances harms both yourself and others.

[PaulAnn]

As a new car owner, I learned my lesson the hard way. Once at a gathering with friends, I had an extra child in the back seat and got fined for overloading. Only after inquiring did I realize that overloading is calculated by headcount – even one extra person counts as a violation. Safety-wise, overloading affects the vehicle's balance and braking performance. Children require dedicated restraint systems for safety. Now I'm very careful about passenger numbers and would rather make multiple trips.