A campaign to clear beggars off city roads for vehicles was conducted Monday and Tuesday.

More than 1,000 police set up 39 check positions throughout the city. More than 170 vagrants were told to stay off the roads and 49 were escorted to the city's aid center.

Motorists have long complained about vagrants wandering among vehicles asking for money from drivers and hawkers selling flowers and maps near intersections where cars wait for the green light.

More than 200 traffic accidents inside the special economic zone this year involved vagrants, resulting in 14 deaths, the Daily Sunshine reported.

The police bureau said similar action would be taken in the future.

(Shenzhen Daily October 28, 2004)