On the first day of the National Day holiday free highway policy, a video of a driver timing their exit to save on tolls sparked heated discussion among netizens.
It is reported that the driver involved, Mr. Yuan, planned to travel from Changsha to Yichang, Hubei Province, to attend a friend's wedding and help with the bridal procession. He set off by car after work on September 30th.
According to the highway free-toll rules, the criterion for determining whether passenger cars are exempt from tolls is the time they exit the toll station, not the time they enter the highway.
To save 257 yuan in full-route tolls, Mr. Yuan arrived at a nearby service area and waited there for about three hours. He entered the highway again after midnight on October 1st when the free toll period began, then exited at the Yichang toll station.
Mr. Yuan stated that he had anticipated congestion caused by many drivers trying to time their exits around midnight, but the actual traffic flow was very smooth.
In the end, he saved 257 yuan, enough to cover the round-trip electricity costs, with leftover money for two cups of coffee. Truly a case of 'saving where you should, spending where you need, and living life wisely.'
However, we would like to remind everyone not to wait for the free toll period on toll station ramps or emergency lanes, as this constitutes a traffic violation. Please plan your trip well to minimize travel time, especially during the return journey on the 7th day.
If you are still on the highway close to midnight, it is recommended to exit at the nearest toll station and re-enter to avoid being charged for the entire route due to overtime. This also reduces safety risks associated with speeding to make up time.