Will I be caught by speed cameras if the navigation doesn't alert me about speed checks?
2 Answers
The Guidelines on Standardized Handling of Traffic Violations for Motor Vehicles Exceeding Speed Limits issued by the Ministry of Public Security state that temporary speed checks require speed measurement warning signs to be placed at least 200 meters ahead and must be operated by traffic police. However, it doesn't mandate that traffic police must be present on-site, so generally, as long as there's a speed check warning, it's considered compliant. Article 42 of the Road Traffic Safety Law specifies the following: 1. Specification 1: When driving on roads, motor vehicles shall not exceed the maximum speed indicated by speed limit signs. On road sections without speed limit signs, drivers shall maintain safe speeds. 2. Specification 2: Drivers shall reduce speed when driving at night, on dangerous road sections, or under adverse weather conditions such as sandstorms, hail, rain, snow, fog, or icy roads.
After driving for so many years, the most profound lesson I've learned is that you can't fully trust navigation—it's just an auxiliary tool. The map data might not be updated in time, or some newly installed speed cameras on minor roads may not be captured by the navigation software. You might unknowingly exceed the speed limit while driving, and the cameras will catch you regardless of whether there's a warning. Last time, a friend of mine got caught in a remote area where the navigation didn't show any speed traps. He was furious but still had to face penalty points and a fine. So, I believe the most reliable approach is to develop the habit of checking the speedometer frequently and keeping an eye on roadside speed limit signs. Safety comes first—don't let navigation become a stumbling block. If you exceed the speed limit, no tool can save you.
