
In the attempt to tackle "Chinese-style street crossing," the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau decided to crack down on pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles via legal action on April, 9, 2013. [Photo: Xinhua]
Beijing's attempts to crack down on jaywalking have been weak and measures to address the issue that were passed a year ago has done little to deter pedestrians from illegally crossing the street in the Chinese capital.
A survey from Beijing-based Legal Evening News showed that around 70 percent of the people believed that they had not stopped jaywalking, despite the city's ordinance. When asked whether the rules will actually take effect, more than 60 percent of respondents were not optimistic.
A traffic warden in Beijing that was not named in the report said that, although the rules had been carried out for only one year, many pedestrians still neglected the regulation. Some traffic wardens have to "compromise" with pedestrians and allow them to cross the road when pedestrian crossing lights turn yellow.
Another unnamed traffic cop in Xidan said that some jaywalkers were fined, but very few people follow the rules. There is not a big reduction in jaywalking.
In the attempt to tackle "Chinese-style street crossing," the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau decided to crack down on pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles via legal action on April 9, 2013. Pedestrians caught jaywalking will be fined 10 yuan. For non-motorized vehicles, like bicycles, the fine is 20 yuan. |