Will a hazardous materials vehicle be fined for being a few minutes late getting off the highway at night?
2 Answers
Need to pay the fine at the traffic police department: 1. Hazardous materials vehicles that exceed the time limit on the highway should find an exit to get off the highway as soon as possible; 2. Because hazardous materials vehicles on the highway are relatively more dangerous, if an accident does occur, the consequences would be unimaginable; 3. If you encounter a hazardous materials vehicle on the highway, you should stay away from it as soon as possible. In 2021, the prohibited time for hazardous materials vehicles on highways in most provinces is between 0:00 and 6:00 a.m. The danger of transporting hazardous materials is much higher than that of ordinary transport vehicles. The "Measures for the Safety Management of Road Transportation of Dangerous Goods" implemented in January 2020 requires the safe, efficient, and convenient transportation of hazardous materials from multiple aspects. Currently, many provinces have adopted different measures for hazardous materials vehicles on highways. Many provinces have responded to the call and imposed restrictions on the passage of hazardous materials vehicles on highways. Zhejiang, Hunan, Jiangsu, Guangdong, Hebei, Shaanxi, Jilin, Shanxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guangxi, and Liaoning have set the prohibited time for hazardous materials vehicles on highways from 0:00 to 6:00 a.m. daily.
In my previous driving-related job, operating hazardous material vehicles required strict adherence to scheduled times. Driving past the designated nighttime hours on highways could indeed result in fines, as traffic regulations explicitly prohibit hazardous material vehicles from operating during specific nighttime periods, such as the 10 PM curfew in urban areas. Highway exits often have inspection stations where officers monitor closely. Even being just a few minutes late, if caught, would result in fines starting from 200 RMB, along with possible penalty points. I believe these rules are based on safety considerations—poor visibility at night increases accident risks, making overtime driving not worth the risk. It's best to plan routes in advance, use navigation apps to avoid congestion, and allocate buffer time. If delayed due to traffic, it's safer to rest at the nearest service area—safety comes first. I've personally encountered emergencies, and thanks to prior preparation, no issues arose. Driving safety is far more important than rushing.
