How Long Does Driving a Motor Vehicle Constitute Fatigue Driving?
3 Answers
Driving a motor vehicle continuously for 4 hours constitutes fatigue driving. According to Article 62 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," the following acts are prohibited while driving a motor vehicle: (7) driving a motor vehicle continuously for more than 4 hours without stopping to rest or stopping for less than 20 minutes. Fatigue driving manifests as the driver's physiological and psychological functions becoming imbalanced after prolonged continuous driving, resulting in an objective decline in driving skills. Consequences of fatigue driving: Continuing to drive while fatigued can lead to drowsiness, physical weakness, lack of concentration, impaired judgment, and even mental confusion or momentary memory loss, causing delayed or premature actions, inappropriate pauses or corrections in operation, and other unsafe factors, significantly increasing the risk of road traffic accidents. Therefore, driving while fatigued is strictly prohibited.
I remember when I first started driving long distances, I used to push myself too hard. Later, I learned that traffic police cracking down on fatigued driving is no joke. The law clearly states that after driving continuously for more than 4 hours, you must take a 20-minute break—it's a hard rule. Once, I drove for 5 hours straight in a hurry, my eyelids were heavy, and I almost hit the guardrail. Thinking about it now still scares me. Actually, even if it hasn't been 4 hours, if you notice blurred vision or a stiff neck, you should pull over immediately. Driving on highways at night is especially tiring, and the hot afternoons in summer are also risky. Keeping some essential oil in the car to stay alert is not as good as honestly taking a nap at a service area—safety should always come first.
A few days ago, I discussed this with a friend. He said the biggest fear for ride-hailing drivers is being penalized for fatigued driving. Traffic regulations state that driving continuously for 4 hours counts as fatigued driving, and rest periods shorter than 20 minutes are also not allowed. However, the reality is more complicated. For example, driving a manual transmission in city traffic for two hours might be more exhausting than three hours on the highway. Personally, I feel that if you start yawning frequently or can't remember intersections, it's time to pull over. Commercial trucks are equipped with driving recorders to monitor driving duration, while private car owners mainly rely on self-discipline. It's advisable to get enough sleep before long trips and avoid relying on energy drinks like Red Bull to push through.
