How is overloading of private cars penalized?
2 Answers
Overloading a private car by one person results in a 3-point deduction and a fine. Damage to road infrastructure: Due to the load of overloaded vehicles far exceeding the design load of roads and bridges, it causes road surface damage, bridge fractures, and significantly shortens the service life. Increased risk: Overloaded vehicles have increased mass and inertia, leading to longer braking distances and higher risks. Severe overloading can cause tire blowouts, sudden deviation, 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 steering control. Impact on road traffic flow: Overloaded vehicles cannot travel at normal speeds, occupying lanes for extended periods, directly affecting the smooth flow of traffic.
That time I drove my private car to take friends out for fun, but accidentally had one extra person in the car. As a result, I was stopped by traffic police, fined 200 yuan, and had 6 points deducted from my license. Overloading may seem like a minor issue, but it's genuinely dangerous—for example, it can make the vehicle's center of gravity unstable, increasing the risk of rollovers during turns, and lengthen braking distance, raising the chance of rear-end collisions. I learned my lesson and now prefer making an extra trip rather than overloading. When carrying passengers, always count the seats carefully—a standard five-seater should have no more than five people. Penalties for overloading may vary slightly by region, but typically involve fines of 200 to 500 yuan, and after points are deducted, you'll need to retake the theoretical driving test. Safety comes first—don't take risks just to save trouble, or you may regret it when accidents happen.
