Does Overloading a Car Include Children?
4 Answers
Overloading a car includes children. Here is an explanation of whether children count as overloading: 1. Regulations: Exceeding the vehicle's designated passenger capacity constitutes overloading, and there is no distinction between adults and children. 2. Penalties: For passenger vehicles exceeding the designated passenger capacity by less than 20%, 3 points will be deducted; if it reaches 20%, 6 points will be deducted. For a private car with a designated capacity of 5 people, it is counted by the number of heads, regardless of whether they are adults or children. For safety, follow the designated capacity requirements and do not assume that more children can be accommodated just because they are small. When children are in the car, always use a dedicated child seat placed in the rear and secured with a seat belt.
As someone who has spent half a lifetime in the car business, I must say that overloading a car is absolutely a big no-no, and children definitely count. I've seen plenty of drivers who think that because kids are small and light, it's no big deal to squeeze them in to make up the numbers. But every seat in a vehicle has a designated capacity limit, and exceeding that is overloading, which can lead to deformation of the rear suspension, significantly longer braking distances, and potential loss of control while driving. This is especially dangerous on mountainous roads, where acceleration becomes sluggish uphill and brake wear increases rapidly downhill, making accidents more likely. Unlike adults, children can't stabilize themselves as well and are more prone to injury in case of an accident. So don't just count heads—count seats, and make sure everyone has a seatbelt spot. Safety should always come first. In summer, a car packed with kids not only has poor air conditioning but also gets stuffy and hot, significantly increasing health risks.
I usually keep an eye on traffic regulation updates. The definition of vehicle overloading counts every passenger, regardless of age, within the approved seating capacity. Traffic laws clearly specify seat limits—exceeding them is a violation. Traffic police never consider age when checking for overcrowding. Though children weigh less, one seat per person is crucial. Never risk safety to save fuel or money. Overloading carries heavy fines, possible license points, and worse—a soaring accident rate as unstable vehicle centers of gravity increase rollover risks. Each extra passenger disrupts weight distribution, strains the engine, raises fuel consumption, and shortens the car's lifespan. Remember: every life onboard is precious, including children's.
As a mom of two, car safety is my top concern. Children count towards passenger capacity, and overloading is all too common. Once, when picking up my kids from school, I considered giving a ride to a few neighbor kids, but gave up because there weren't enough seats. Overloading increases collision risks, and young children moving around unrestrained in the car can be unstable. Each extra passenger reduces safety space, making kids more prone to bumps and injuries. I always insist my little one in the back seat wears a seatbelt. Don't overcrowd the car for convenience - fewer trips with fewer passengers are safer.
