What is the speed limit standard for highways in rainy and snowy weather?
3 Answers
According to the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law", when encountering low visibility weather conditions such as fog, rain, snow, dust, or hail on highways with visibility less than 200 meters, drivers should turn on fog lights, low beams, outline lights, and front and rear position lights. The speed should not exceed 60 kilometers per hour, and a distance of more than 100 meters should be maintained from the vehicle in front in the same lane. If the car is equipped with a snow mode, it should be activated while driving. It is best to choose a familiar route, or you can place the gear in 2nd gear, while automatic transmissions can use L or S mode. This will make the vehicle's output more stable and easier to control in snowy conditions. Activate the ESP function to regain control if the vehicle skids, but it should be turned off before climbing a slope. Always slow down and drive smoothly on icy roads. The most dangerous action when driving in snow is sudden braking, as it can easily cause skidding or rear-end collisions. Turn on the air conditioning and use a towel to wipe off foggy glass to ensure clear visibility and safe driving.
When driving on highways during rain or snow, speed limits are significantly reduced entirely for safety reasons. Generally, the original speed limit of 120 km/h is typically lowered to between 60 and 80 km/h under such conditions. With years of driving experience, I recall last winter when heavy snow covered the highway, I could only drive around 60 km/h because the road was extremely slippery. Accelerating too quickly could easily cause the car to skid or lose control. Similarly, during heavy fog or rain, visibility drops, and speeds should be reduced to below 70 km/h. My advice is to pay attention to electronic road signs, which display the current speed limit. If there are no signs, reduce your speed to 80 km/h as a precaution. Additionally, remember to turn on your headlights and fog lights while maintaining a longer following distance to avoid rear-end collisions. Safety always comes first—it's better to arrive home late than to take risks by speeding.
In snowy or rainy weather on highways, speed limits must be strictly adhered to. Chinese traffic regulations clearly stipulate that drivers must proactively reduce their speed to below 70% of the original limit during severe weather conditions such as heavy snow or rain. I always advise my friends not to overlook this point. In reality, I often see electronic message boards indicating speed limits between 50 to 80 km/h, depending on whether the road is icy. For example, mountainous highways are more stringent, requiring speeds below 60 km/h. The key issue is reduced tire traction, making sudden braking prone to rollovers, which is why I emphasize maintaining a stable, low speed. Equipping your car with snow chains or winter tires is very helpful—avoid overtaking and maintain a safe following distance. Regularly check the braking system and plan your route in advance to minimize sudden acceleration, which is safer for long-distance driving.
