Is it okay to drive at 40 km/h on a national highway?
4 Answers
Driving at 40 km/h on a national highway is not advisable as it is too slow and can easily lead to rear-end collisions and other issues. A speed of 60-80 km/h is more appropriate on national highways. Generally, the speed limit on national highways is 60-80 km/h. National highways that have been upgraded or widened usually have a speed limit of 80 km/h, while some may be limited to 70 km/h. Older national highways typically have a speed limit of 60 km/h. As long as the speed does not exceed 80 km/h, it should be fine. Drivers should pay attention to the speed limit signs on the roadside and drive according to the posted limits. On any road, if there are speed limit signs, drivers should adhere to them. For roads without speed limit signs, the legal speed limits as stipulated by laws and regulations must be followed. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law" and its "Implementation Regulations": the maximum speed for small passenger vehicles on expressways should not exceed 120 km/h, other motor vehicles should not exceed 100 km/h, and motorcycles should not exceed 80 km/h. The minimum speed should not be lower than 60 km/h (some provinces prohibit motorcycles on expressways).
Driving at 40 km/h (about 40 kilometers per hour) on national highways is a bit risky. With over 20 years of driving experience, I've seen many troubles caused by slow-driving novices. National highways are designed for faster speeds, typically with speed limits above 60 km/h. Driving at 40 is too slow—it wastes your own time and easily annoys others. Once on a long drive, a car ahead kept going at 40 km/h, causing a line of vehicles behind to honk incessantly in frustration, nearly leading to a rear-end collision. This is unsafe and a waste of time. I recommend checking road signs or speed limits on navigation apps and maintaining 50-60 km/h, which is normal. Slowing down in bad weather like fog is reasonable, but driving at 40 km/h on a clear day poses a high risk of breaking the law—police may issue a 200-yuan fine. Following the rules benefits both yourself and ensures safety.
As someone who frequently commutes on national highways, I find driving at 40 km/h too sluggish. During rush hours, traffic flows faster on national highways, and driving at 40 km/h not only slows me down but also affects others who are in a hurry. I take the same commute route every day, and a speed of at least 50-60 km/h is necessary. When driving at 40 km/h, my GPS shows the average speed drops to around 30 km/h, turning a 30-minute trip into an hour-long ordeal, which is frustrating, fuel-consuming, and unsafe. If the speed limit is low, such as 50 km/h, driving at 40 km/h might be acceptable, but most national highways have speed limits of 60 km/h or higher. Driving too slowly can lead to being flashed by other drivers and even fines. Remember, don’t drive slowly in the fast lane and create traffic bottlenecks. Follow local speed limits for a smooth and efficient commute.
From a fuel-saving perspective, driving at 40 km/h might have some benefits, but I've found it unsuitable for national highways. With higher speed limits like 60 km/h, driving at 40 km/h saves a little fuel but lowers overall efficiency, and aggressive overtaking by others can actually increase fuel consumption. I prioritize eco-friendly driving and usually maintain an economical speed of 50-55 km/h, which is most efficient—40 km/h is too slow and keeps the engine RPM suboptimal. Safety is also a concern; driving too slowly increases the risk of rear-end collisions. I recommend driving smoothly within the speed limit.
