Plainclothes traffic assistants in Shanghai are photographing
traffic violators in streets in Huangpu, Luwan and Jing'an
districts between the hours of 7 AM and 7 PM in a new initiative
which got underway on Monday. Pictures will be transferred to the
district office responsible for cultural and ideological progress
and some will be chosen to be displayed in the workplaces of those
caught, Oriental Morning Post quoted Zhu Weiming, deputy
director of Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau, as saying on
Monday.
Hundreds of pictures were snapped that day at crossings near
schools, hospitals, office buildings, and government departments.
Chen Zhenmin, vice director of the municipal office responsible for
cultural and ideological progress, said the move was aimed at
reminding people of driving carefully and ensuring that pedestrians
also observe the regulations.
The preliminary plan is for the pictures to be displayed on
street side business buildings. The first batch of pictures will go
on show in two weeks.
Sixty key crossings on the inner ring road in 10 districts
including Xuhui, Jing'an and Huangpu were selected as "crossings
under supervision" zones for improving the traffic order.
Pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles ignoring red lights will be
punished too. Up to mid-June the goal is to ensure that 90 percent
of pedestrians and 95 percent of non-motorized transport observe
the traffic rules at 60 crossings. At least one traffic policeman
and two traffic assistants will be present at each crossing to
direct traffic.
Prof. Zhang Youde with the School of Social Science at Shanghai
University, said the move was understandable. But he did not think
that it would work much for the floating population since few of
them had a regular workplace. As an international metropolis,
Shanghai should seek more effective management measures, Zhang
suggested.
He felt only improvements in the way of life of citizens could
prevent jaywalking and he suggested that native Shanghai residents
should act as models and observe the traffic rules.
A teacher, who only gave his surname as Zhang, said, "The move
might be very effective and nip bad habits in the bud."
(China.org.cn by Zhang Yunxing, May 10, 2006)