What is the legal basis for penalizing vehicles carrying mud on urban roads?
2 Answers
Vehicles carrying mud on urban roads violate the provisions of the "Urban Appearance and Environmental Sanitation Management Regulations," an administrative regulation. Article 15 of the "Urban Appearance and Environmental Sanitation Management Regulations" stipulates: Transportation vehicles operating in urban areas must maintain a good and clean appearance. For liquid or bulk cargo transported by freight vehicles, it must be sealed, wrapped, or covered to avoid leakage or spillage. Below are some precautions for novice drivers on the road: 1. Pay attention to braking techniques: When braking, avoid panic. When anticipating the need to brake, press the brake pedal slowly and continuously to reduce speed evenly. As the vehicle is about to stop, gradually release the brake pedal until the vehicle stabilizes. Sudden braking causes significant wear on the wheels and brake pads, which is harmful to the vehicle. 2. Be mindful of lighting: Avoid using high beams indiscriminately—do not use high beams when following another vehicle, avoid using them in urban areas, and switch to low beams when facing oncoming traffic to prevent accidents. 3. Precautions for novice drivers when navigating curves: When driving through a curve, reduce speed before entering the curve, keep your right foot on the brake pedal to alert vehicles behind, and continue to keep your right foot on the brake pedal while in the curve. Remember to hold the steering wheel steadily. After passing the midpoint of the curve and seeing the straight road ahead, begin to accelerate. Avoid excessive speed when driving through curves, as losing control can easily lead to accidents. 4. Driving slowly is not always better; maintain an appropriate speed: When conditions permit, drive close to the speed limit and match the overall flow of traffic. This ensures both driving efficiency and safety.
Once when I was driving in the city right after leaving a construction site without washing my car, the tires were completely covered in mud, and I got pulled over by traffic police who fined me. They told me the penalty was based on the Road Traffic Safety Law, specifically Article 48 regarding vehicles not being allowed to carry pollutants on the road, mainly to prevent soil from polluting the roads, affecting the city's appearance and traffic safety. The fine generally ranges from 200 to 500 yuan, with possible variations in different cities. That was when I realized this regulation is quite strict because mud can easily cause skidding in rainy weather, increasing accident risks, and the dust can also worsen air quality. Since then, I always make sure to clean my tires before hitting the road, a habit that has saved me a lot of trouble. Actually, regular vehicle maintenance and checking tire cleanliness can easily help avoid penalties while ensuring safety and environmental protection.