Does having five adults and one child in a sedan count as overloading?
2 Answers
A sedan with a rated capacity of 5 people, carrying 5 adults + 1 child (even an infant in arms), counts as 6 people and is considered overloading. Precautions for children riding in cars are as follows: 1. Children should sit in the back seat of the car: The safest position in a car is the back seat, especially behind the front passenger seat, as the backrest in front can significantly reduce the impact of a collision. 2. Do not allow children to stand and play in the car: Some children like to jump around and may try to do so in the car or stand up to play, which is very dangerous. Movement in the car can easily cause children to fall, potentially leading to serious bone injuries. 3. Do not allow children to stick their heads out of the window: While driving, some curious children may try to stick their heads out of the window, which is extremely hazardous.
I've driven many cars and experienced similar situations. Five adults plus one child in a five-seater sedan is definitely overloading, as the car is designed for only five seats. The extra person affects braking performance and airbag protection. Once when I took my friend's whole family on a trip, the child couldn't sit steadily during a sharp turn and almost hit the front seat - the risk was too great. Traffic regulations clearly require not exceeding the rated number of passengers, and children also need independent seats and seat belts. Overloading not only worsens the car's handling but also increases fuel consumption and may damage the car's structure. For safety's sake, it's best to switch to a larger vehicle or travel in batches - don't ignore hidden dangers for the sake of convenience.
