How is overloading in a sedan penalized?
4 Answers
For private cars, overloading by one person results in a 2-point deduction and a fine. For passenger vehicles, overloading by one person leads to a 6-point deduction. Generally, exceeding 50% capacity results in a fine and license suspension. For passenger vehicles, carrying passengers exceeding the approved number by less than 20% results in a 3-point deduction. The maximum capacity for private cars is only 5 people; carrying even one extra person constitutes overloading.
The last time I was caught for overloading my sedan was when I took friends on an outing and squeezed in six people, even though the car was only meant for five. The police issued a ticket on the spot, fining me 200 yuan and deducting 3 points, saying it was considered minor overloading. The scariest part of overloading is the safety risk—it increases braking distance, and in case of a sudden turn or collision, people in the back seat are more likely to be thrown out and injured. I used to always try to save money or fuel by squeezing in extra passengers, but accident data shows that the risk increases by several percentage points for each additional passenger. I've since learned my lesson—now I always check the seating capacity before heading out, and I'd rather make an extra trip than take that risk. Safety comes first; fines are trivial, but lives are priceless—don’t let saving money turn into risking lives.
The penalties for overloading are quite severe, and I've researched this area. A sedan can only carry five people; one more is considered overloading. According to the Traffic Safety Law, overloading by less than 20% results in a fine of 200-500 RMB and 3 demerit points; overloading by more than 20% leads to a fine of 500-2000 RMB and 6 demerit points, and the vehicle may also be impounded. Why is it so strict? Extra passengers are not protected by seat belts, and the risk of rollover doubles. Overloading accounts for the majority of accidents in China's traffic accident statistics—don't think it's just a matter of squeezing in. Remember, never overload on long trips, especially on highways where police cars are more vigilant. It's advisable to install a dash cam; it can be useful in case of disputes and helps protect your life and those of your passengers.
The penalty for overloading a sedan is divided into two levels: if the number of passengers exceeds the original capacity by less than 20%, a fine of 200 yuan and 3 demerit points will be imposed; if it exceeds 20% or more, a fine of at least 500 yuan and 6 demerit points will be given. For example, a 5-seater car carrying 7 people is equivalent to a 40% overload, resulting in both demerit points and a fine. The law is set this way to prevent accidents, as overloading makes the vehicle's center of gravity unstable, difficult to control, and prone to tire blowouts. Don't underestimate it—always count heads before hitting the road.
