What is the speed limit on urban roads without street lights?
3 Answers
For roads without traffic signals and without a central dividing line, the speed limit is 30 km/h on urban roads and 40 km/h on highways; for roads with only one motor vehicle lane in the same direction, the speed limit is 50 km/h on urban roads and 70 km/h on highways. Highway speed limits: The speed limit range for expressways is 60 km/h to 120 km/h; for first-class highways, it's 60 km/h to 100 km/h; for second-class highways, it's 40 km/h to 80 km/h; for third-class highways, it's 30 km/h to 60 km/h; and for fourth-class highways, it's 20 km/h to 60 km/h. Additionally, expressways have a minimum speed limit for vehicles. Road speed limits: The speed limit range for express roads is 60 km/h to 100 km/h; for arterial roads, it's 40 km/h to 60 km/h; for secondary arterial roads, it's 30 km/h to 50 km/h; and for branch roads, it's 20 km/h to 40 km/h.
As a veteran driver who frequently drives at night, I'm all too familiar with unlit urban roads. The maximum speed limit on such roads is generally 60 km/h, but you must always check the posted signs. On secondary arterial roads within city limits or small roads around industrial areas, many sections have limits reduced to 50 or even 40 km/h. The key is to observe whether the reflective road markings are clear - when encountering multiple curves or narrow lanes, you must proactively reduce speed. Once at dawn in an unlit industrial zone, even driving at 45 km/h (under the 60 limit) felt risky when a stray cat suddenly darted from the median - thankfully I'd slowed down in advance. For night driving, I recommend using high beams for assistance, but you must switch to low beams within 400 meters of oncoming traffic - this is an absolute rule.
During driving tests, instructors repeatedly emphasize: urban roads without lighting are collectively referred to as 'special road sections,' with a legal speed limit of 60 km/h. Actual operations vary with environmental conditions. For instance, ring roads with four or more lanes may maintain 60 km/h, but narrow two-lane roads in old urban areas should reduce to 40 km/h. Pay close attention to yellow speed limit signs, which are more reliable than mobile navigation. Last year, tests on asphalt roads in suburban areas showed that nighttime braking distances at 80 km/h were two car lengths longer than during the day, worsening in rain or fog. Installing a HUD projection in the car is practical, allowing you to check your speed without looking down, as exceeding the speed limit by 50% or more directly results in 12 penalty points—no joke.
