What happens if occasionally driving below 60 km/h on the highway?
2 Answers
The minimum speed limit on the highway is 60 km/h. Driving below the minimum speed limit by less than 20% will not result in a fine, but exceeding 20% below the minimum speed limit will incur a fine and 3 penalty points. Special circumstances such as road construction or traffic congestion that cause the speed to drop below the minimum limit are exempt from fines. According to Article 78 of the Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law, highways must indicate lane speed limits, with the maximum speed not exceeding 120 km/h and the minimum speed not below 60 km/h. For highways with 2 lanes in the same direction, the minimum speed in the left lane is 100 km/h; for highways with 3 or more lanes in the same direction, the minimum speed in the far-left lane is 110 km/h, and the minimum speed in the middle lane is 90 km/h. If the speed limit indicated by road signs conflicts with the above lane speed regulations, the speed limit indicated by the road signs shall prevail.
Occasionally driving below 60 km/h on the highway requires extra caution. Other vehicles are typically moving much faster, often exceeding 100 km/h. If you slow down, the car behind might not brake in time, leading to a rear-end collision. I once had a close call on a rainy day when I was driving slower—it gave me quite a scare. Not only is there a significant safety risk, but it could also trigger a chain-reaction accident, especially in foggy conditions or at night when visibility is poor. Additionally, some areas have speed cameras, and driving below 60 km/h is considered a violation, punishable by a 200-yuan fine and 3 penalty points. Don’t take this lightly—make it a habit to maintain a speed around 80 km/h. If you encounter traffic, stay calm and slow down in advance. Remember, safe driving isn’t just for your own sake—it’s for others too.