Does Having Extra Children in the Car Count as Overcrowding?

[DelJourney]

Having extra children in the car does count as overcrowding. Below is an introduction to the hazards of driving with an overloaded vehicle: 1. Damage to road infrastructure: Since overloaded vehicles far exceed the design load of roads and bridges, they cause pavement damage, bridge fractures, and significantly shorten service life. 2. Increased danger: Overloaded vehicles have greater mass and inertia, leading to longer braking distances and higher risks. Severe overloading can cause tire blowouts, sudden swerving, brake failure, rollovers, and other accidents due to excessive tire load and deformation. Additionally, overloading affects the vehicle's steering performance, increasing the likelihood of accidents due to loss of control. 3. Traffic congestion: Overloaded vehicles cannot travel at normal speeds, occupying lanes for extended periods and directly affecting road traffic flow.

[AvaFitz]

This issue is very practical, as my family encountered it during our trip last week. Traffic police only count the number of heads in the car, regardless of age! For example, if a five-seater car is fully occupied by four adults and you hold a baby in your arms, it still counts as overloading. I've seen too many parents think 'small children don't count,' only to be fined 3 points and 200 yuan. Children's safety is even more critical—holding them in your arms during overloading is actually more dangerous, as a sudden brake can turn them into human airbags. It's recommended to prepare extra child safety seats. If there really isn't enough space, it's better to take two cars—after all, safety is priceless!

[VonDaniela]

It counts as overloading. I've checked Article 49 of the Traffic Law, which clearly states: the permitted passenger capacity is counted by natural persons. Simply put, it doesn't matter if it's an adult or a child - if they're breathing, they count as one. Last time I drove a 7-seater with five adults and three kids, I got pulled over right after entering the highway. The traffic police said child seats occupying seats also count, and now surveillance cameras can detect the number of passengers in vehicles. For traveling with multiple kids, it's best to choose an MPV. If you really have many people, renting a 9-seater business van is both safe and legal.

[LoganLee]

Absolutely! Vehicle weight limits are strictly enforced, and even adding one child can affect braking distance. A friend was fined for carrying four children in the back row of an SUV during a trip with three families. The key issue is safety: overloaded vehicles have three times the risk of rollover, and without child safety seats, children can be ejected like projectiles in a crash. Always check the permitted passenger count on your vehicle registration—infants count as passengers. Consider carpooling or using multiple vehicles, and never take chances with safety.