What are the penalties for a 5-seat private car carrying 8 people under the new traffic regulations?
2 Answers
A 5-seat private car carrying 8 people is already considered overloading. According to the relevant provisions of the new Road Traffic Safety Law, driving with more than 20% of the approved number of passengers will result in a 12-point deduction. For private cars, overloading by just one person already exceeds 20%. A 5-seat private car carrying 8 people constitutes overloading by more than 20%. The following are the hazards of vehicle overloading: Increased risk of rollover: The more passengers are overloaded, the more the vehicle's center of gravity will shift, especially when turning, making the vehicle more prone to rollover. Weakened braking performance: Inertia is related to the mass of an object. When braking, the vehicle relies on resistance to stop. The more overloaded the vehicle is, the greater its inertia will be, making it harder to stop than usual. Tire blowout: Overloading causes the vehicle's tires to operate under excessive load continuously, increasing tire pressure and temperature, which can easily lead to tire blowouts. Worsened accidents: Under normal circumstances, every member in the car has corresponding safety belts, seats, and other equipment, but overloading means not everyone has these. In the event of an accident, situations that could have been avoided may now be unavoidable.
As a regular driver, I know people who have been fined for overloading. The new traffic regulations state that a 5-seat private car carrying 8 people is considered overloading, with penalties ranging from fines of 200 to 2,000 yuan, and either 6 or 12 demerit points depending on severity. The vehicle may also be temporarily impounded. Why such strict rules? Overloading can lead to longer braking distances, reduced vehicle stability, and even rollovers during turns. I once had a close call while traveling with my family—the tires were nearly flattened. Now I’ve learned my lesson and never overload. The stricter regulations since 2022 aim to reduce accident risks and ensure everyone gets home safely. Always check the seating capacity or consider splitting into multiple vehicles—it’s both legal and safe, protecting yourself and your passengers.
