Is there a minimum speed limit on urban expressways?
3 Answers
Urban expressways have speed limits ranging from 60km/h to 100km/h Standard characteristics of urban expressways: One main principle of urban expressways is that they have no traffic lights, allowing continuous traffic flow. Therefore, all intersections must be designed as interchanges, whether simple or large-scale, with the specific configuration depending on the related roads. Functions of urban expressways: They reduce the number of at-grade intersections and traffic lights, thereby increasing driving speed, shortening travel time for longer distances, minimizing the mixing of motorized and non-motorized vehicles, decreasing the likelihood of road congestion, and promoting economical and environmentally friendly driving speeds. These features significantly enhance traffic safety and transportation efficiency across the city. They also play an indispensable role in connecting to outbound highways, linking satellite towns, and providing direct access to airports and ports.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I frequently drive on urban expressways where there are indeed minimum speed limits. Roads like Shanghai's Middle Ring Road and Beijing's Second Ring Road typically have minimum speed limits ranging from 40 to 60 kilometers per hour. This is because driving too slowly can easily cause traffic jams and rear-end collisions. For instance, during rush hour once, the car in front of me was driving at less than 30 kilometers per hour, causing chaos in the entire lane and nearly resulting in a scrape—it was really scary. Therefore, traffic regulations set these speed limits to maintain smooth traffic flow and safe driving. I must remind everyone to glance at the speedometer more often on expressways and avoid driving too slowly. It's also important to familiarize yourself with local regulations, as rules may vary between cities. But once you develop the habit, driving becomes much smoother.
When driving, we must never ignore the minimum speed limit on expressways. As I've observed during my daily commute, these speed limits serve a significant purpose. They primarily prevent drivers from moving at a snail's pace, which can cause vehicles behind to brake suddenly, easily leading to rear-end or side collisions. Statistics show that adhering to the minimum speed limit can reduce accident rates by over 20%, as it helps to average out traffic flow, creating a more stable driving environment. I recommend that beginners start in the slow lane to avoid mistakenly entering the fast lane at low speeds; also, always check your dashboard to ensure your speed meets the requirement. Don't underestimate this rule—it's there to protect us all.
