Will You Be Fined for Filling the Back Seat of a Sedan with Items?
3 Answers
If the items in the back seat of a sedan are too large or too many, obstructing the rearview mirror, it constitutes a violation. Although this does not breach operational laws, it violates one of the three-over principles, thus resulting in penalties. Here is additional information: Article 49 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" stipulates that passenger motor vehicles must not carry goods in violation of regulations; Article 54, Paragraph 2 states that passenger vehicles, except for external roof racks and built-in luggage compartments, must not carry goods. The height of goods carried on the roof rack of a passenger vehicle must not exceed 0.5 meters from the roof and 4 meters from the ground.
When it comes to whether filling up the back seat of a sedan with stuff will result in a fine, I've seen quite a few cases like this. The key actually lies in whether it complies with traffic regulations. In China, the "Road Traffic Safety Law" stipulates that items loaded in the back seat must not exceed the trunk's range or obstruct the driver's view. If you pile things up so high that they block the rear window, traffic police are likely to pull you over. I once saw a guy fill his back seat with boxes, and when he turned a corner, the stuff almost flew out the window—he got a warning and a 200-yuan fine from the police. Additionally, from a safety perspective, overloading the back seat can turn items into dangerous projectiles during sudden braking. It's advisable not to exceed the height of the seatback and to secure items with a rope if necessary. In short, fines aren't absolute, but safety comes first—better to follow the rules.
I've been driving for over a decade, and having the backseat fully loaded is no joke! Out of curiosity, I tried it before – with too much stuff, the rearview mirror becomes completely useless, making driving feel like fumbling in the dark. In case of a sudden rear-end collision or needing to avoid pedestrians, reaction time would be dangerously delayed. If caught by the police, depending on local regulations (such as on urban main roads), you might be fined 100-200 yuan for endangering traffic safety. Some friends have even complained about items falling and cracking the rear windshield, with repair costs exceeding the fine. So now, I only keep essentials in the back, leaving some space for ventilation – safer and more worry-free. Remember, safe driving should always be the top priority.
