Is driving a truck at 100 km/h on the highway considered speeding?
3 Answers
Truck driving at 100 km/h on the highway is considered speeding. Here are the detailed explanations: 1. Speed limits: In China's highways, the maximum speed limits for large trucks, buses, and passenger cars are 90 km/h, 100 km/h, and 120 km/h respectively, with a minimum distance of 200 meters required between vehicles traveling in the same direction on the same lane. 2. Relevant regulations: (1) Article 78 stipulates: Highways shall indicate the driving speed of lanes, with the maximum speed not exceeding 120 km/h and the minimum speed not less than 60 km/h. (2) On highways, the maximum speed for small passenger cars shall not exceed 120 km/h, other motor vehicles shall not exceed 100 km/h, and motorcycles shall not exceed 80 km/h. (3) For two lanes in the same direction, the minimum speed on the left lane is 100 km/h; for three or more lanes in the same direction, the minimum speed on the far-left lane is 110 km/h, and the minimum speed on the middle lane is 90 km/h. If the speed indicated by road speed limit signs is inconsistent with the above lane speed regulations, the speed indicated by the road speed limit signs shall be followed.
I've been driving trucks for twenty years, and this issue depends on the specific situation. On most domestic highways, the speed limit for trucks is 100 kilometers per hour, so driving at 100 is right at the threshold. However, be aware that in mountainous areas where the speed limit is 80, you can't drive like this. It's best to reduce your speed by 5 km/h in sections where navigation shows speed cameras. I remember last year when I was hauling goods to Yunnan, the speed limit sign before the tunnel was covered by leaves, and I got caught at 95. Nowadays, dash cams can recognize speed limit signs, and having an in-car system with road condition alerts is quite useful. The key is not to rely solely on the displayed speed—tire pressure can cause an actual speed difference of up to 3 kilometers.
Last week, I was educated by a speeding ticket on the highway. Trucks running at 100 km/h on a 100 km/h speed limit highway are not speeding, but many sections actually have a speed limit of only 80. You need to carefully check the speed limit slip received at the toll booth. Once, I didn’t realize the speed limit for trucks on the Badaling section of the Jingzang Expressway was 70 until I got there. Nowadays, traffic police use average speed detection over intervals. Even if your speedometer shows a steady 100 km/h over 100 kilometers, the actual speed might be 101 km/h, which counts as speeding. Speeding within 10% results in a warning, while exceeding 20% means 6 points deducted and a 200 yuan fine—not worth it. I recommend setting your speedometer to around 95 km/h to leave some margin for error, and when you see a 'high accident zone' sign, ease off the throttle.
