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China
Previously, all
expressways in the People's Republic of China were limited to a maximum
speed limit of 110 km/h (70 mph). With the passage of the PRC's first
road-related law, the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic
of China, speed limits were raised nationwide to 120 km/h (75 mph) as of
May 1, 2004; however, the updating of signs (if and when it becomes
complete) will still take some time.
Semi-expressways and city express routes (uniquely called kuaisu gonglu
快速公路 in Chinese, meaning "fast public road") generally have lower speed
limits topping out at around 100 km/h (65 mph), and in some cases, the
speed limit may be lower.
On China National Highways (which are not expressways), a common speed
limit is 80 km/h (50 mph). In localities, speed limits may drop to 40
km/h (25 mph). In reality, few people drive according to the speed
limits, and on some roads, enforcement cameras are nearly non-existent.
On some designated "fast through routes" in cities, speed limits can go
all the way up to 80 km/h (50 mph). Otherwise, speed limits remain 70
km/h (45 mph) on roads with two uninterrupted yellow lines and 60 km/h
(40 mph) or even 50 km/h (30 mph) otherwise. Signage in towns and on
expressways is often present.
Minimum speed limits on expressways vary. A general minimum speed limit
of 60 km/h (40 mph) is in force at all times (although traffic jams more
than thwart it). According to law, the overtaking lane has a minimum
speed limit of 110 km/h (70 mph), and a second lane often has a minimum
speed limit of 90–100 km/h (55–65 mph). (The second lane, though, should
only be set a minimum speed limit if third, fourth, and subsequent lanes
exist.)
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