Stroll Toll: Beijing to Enforce Fine for Jaywalking
Does anybody in Beijing actually refuse to cross the street unless it's a green light? Maybe it's time to start. Chinese media is reporting that, starting today, Beijing authorities will begin to crackdown on jaywalking.
According to the new policy, pedestrians who are in the middle of an intersection against a stop light will be fined RMB 10. It's unclear as to where in the city the rules will be enforced. The Beijing Traffic Management Bureau has yet to put up any official announcement on their website, so we'll need to wait and see what happens.
Weibo netizens are getting fired up about the new rule. Some are wondering how the city will be able to post traffic police at every intersection, while others embrace the change. One user has even decided to make a game of it:
"I'll make sure to keep RMB 10 in my pocket every day, and if it's not taken by the police, I'll save it in my jar. I think it won't take me too long to raise enough money to get myself an e-bike! Yes!"
In the meantime, it might be wise to observe the traffic signals whenever you spot one of those reflective traffic police vests. Come to think of it, crossing the street on red should be pretty much unthinkable anyway, given the way people drive in this city and the startling width of some of Beijing's roads.
Photo: Twentyfour Students on Flickr
Related stories :
![What Will The "Two Sessions" Do to Your Life Before The New "Five-Year Plan" Come Out](https://www.thebeijinger.com/sites/default/files/styles/blog_list_image/public/thebeijinger/blog-images/387857/67514a4a366968d827138a70d4b87d9390901987_size40_w640_h364.jpeg "What Will The "Two Sessions" Do to Your Life Before The New "Five-Year Plan" Come Out")
Comments
New comments are displayed first.
Login or register to post comments.
Police officers donning reflective vests and shoulder-mounted cameras manned more than 150 street crossings in Beijing yesterday to catch and fine jaywalkers, as the capital ramped up efforts to improve crossing safety.
The madness begins, but how long will it last...
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1231777/police-struggle-stop-jaywalkers-beijing-launches-road-safety-campaign?utm_source=Sinocism+Newsletter&utm_campaign=f58e80d460-Sinocism05_07_13&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_171f237867-f58e80d460-29578117
Are we going to see a similar fine for drivers who motor through pedestrian crossings without stopping? How about ones who turn right on a red without so much as slowing down, even when people are crossing the road, honking their horns to demand they get out of the way?
YESSSSSS!!!! Much needed!
What is the law here about right on red? Are drivers technically supposed to stop like they are required to in the states? I have yet to see someone stop unless I deliberately walk slow and hold my hand out for them to stop so I can finish crossing. (Yeah, it's a wonder I'm still alive in this country)
And what about all the motorbikes and bicycles who drive on through when other directions have the green light?
Re: Stroll Toll: Beijing to Enforce Fine for Jaywalking
Are we going to see a similar fine for drivers who motor through pedestrian crossings without stopping? How about ones who turn right on a red without so much as slowing down, even when people are crossing the road, honking their horns to demand they get out of the way?