Will driving below 60 km/h on highways in rainy weather result in a fine?
2 Answers
Vehicles traveling below the minimum speed limit of 60 km/h due to severe weather conditions such as rain or fog will not be penalized. Here is additional information: 1. Speed limit standards: The maximum speed for small passenger vehicles must not exceed 120 km/h, other motor vehicles must not exceed 100 km/h, and motorcycles must not exceed 80 km/h. The minimum speed must not be below 60 km/h. 2. Lane selection: On roads with two lanes in the same direction, the left lane is the fast lane with a minimum speed of 100 km/h. On roads with three or more lanes in the same direction, the leftmost lane has a minimum speed of 110 km/h, the middle lane has a minimum speed of 90 km/h, and vehicles traveling between 60 km/h and 90 km/h should use the rightmost lane. 3. In case of discrepancies between speed limit signs and regulations: If the speed limit indicated by road signs conflicts with the above lane speed regulations, drivers should adhere to the speed limit indicated by the road signs.
I've been driving for over 20 years, and when driving on the highway during heavy rain, I'm most concerned about speed. I remember once on the Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway, the rain was so heavy and the road was slippery, so I reduced my speed to around 50 km/h. I didn't even think about fines—my main concern was avoiding skidding and collisions. Later, when chatting with a friend from the traffic bureau, he explained that while regulations specify a minimum speed limit of 60 km/h on highways, in rainy conditions with poor visibility and slippery roads, it's appropriate to reduce speed for safety. Police generally won't issue fines just for driving below 60 km/h unless you're driving so slowly that it causes rear-end collisions or traffic congestion, in which case you might receive a warning or minor penalty. The key is maintaining a safe following distance, using hazard lights to alert drivers behind you, and not blindly chasing speed at the risk of safety. I think new drivers especially should pay attention: before driving on the highway in the rain, check your wipers and tires, and control your speed within a manageable range. Safety first is far more important than whether or not you get fined.
