SlopeChina
10. Slope
A slope is a section of road that rises or descends noticeably. A steep slope can affect vehicle speed, braking distance, traction, visibility and the ability of heavy or low-powered vehicles to maintain a steady speed.
Warning signs may indicate a steep ascent or dangerous descent and may show the gradient as a percentage. Drivers should adjust their speed early, select a suitable gear and remain prepared for slow vehicles, bends and changing road conditions.
Wikimedia.org • luchangjiang~鲁昌江 • CC BY-SA
What does a steep-slope warning mean in China?
A steep-slope warning identifies a gradient hazard. Article 46 also limits an ordinary motor vehicle to 30 km/h while descending a steep slope; specified tractors, battery vehicles and wheeled special machinery have a 15 km/h ceiling. Obey any lower restriction and slow further for braking, grip, visibility and traffic.
🔗 xzfg.moj.gov.cn • Mainland China — Regulations 46, 48(3)–(4) and 62(4)
🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Beijing Traffic Police — full Road Traffic Safety Law, 2021 amended text
🔗 samr.gov.cn • SAMR — full implementing Regulations, 2017 amended text
🔗 szjj.sz.gov.cn • Shenzhen Traffic Police — official sign categories and their functions
🔗 openstd.samr.gov.cn • SAMR — current GB 5768.2-2022 status, not the full standard
🔗 std.sacinfo.org.cn • SAC — published first sign-standard amendment, effective 1 January 2026
How should I approach a steep descent in China?
Reduce speed before the descent and select a suitable gear to help control the vehicle. Keep enough following distance and avoid building up speed that requires continuous heavy braking. A warning gives no fixed safe descent speed: the gradient, surface, visibility, load and vehicle can require a speed well below the legal maximum.
🔗 xzfg.moj.gov.cn • Mainland China — Regulations 46, 48(3)–(4) and 62(4)
🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Beijing Traffic Police — full Road Traffic Safety Law, 2021 amended text
🔗 samr.gov.cn • SAMR — full implementing Regulations, 2017 amended text
🔗 szjj.sz.gov.cn • Shenzhen Traffic Police — official sign categories and their functions
🔗 openstd.samr.gov.cn • SAMR — current GB 5768.2-2022 status, not the full standard
🔗 std.sacinfo.org.cn • SAC — published first sign-standard amendment, effective 1 January 2026
What should I check when meeting or overtaking on a slope in China?
On a narrow slope, uphill traffic normally goes first. However, a downhill vehicle already part-way down has priority if the uphill vehicle has not yet started climbing. Narrow mountain roads also have a separate rule favouring the side away from the mountain.
🔗 xzfg.moj.gov.cn • Mainland China — Regulations 46, 48(3)–(4) and 62(4)
🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Beijing Traffic Police — full Road Traffic Safety Law, 2021 amended text
🔗 samr.gov.cn • SAMR — full implementing Regulations, 2017 amended text
🔗 szjj.sz.gov.cn • Shenzhen Traffic Police — official sign categories and their functions
🔗 openstd.samr.gov.cn • SAMR — current GB 5768.2-2022 status, not the full standard
🔗 std.sacinfo.org.cn • SAC — published first sign-standard amendment, effective 1 January 2026

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