Times are a-changin' with Shanghai traffic laws as the city government kicks off its campaign to reduce traffic congestion.
That means traffic violation penalties galore. According to Shanghai Daily, over 40,000 motorists, cyclists and pedestrians were already hit with big fines last weekend. Last weekend alone, there were roughly 21,000 cases of illegal parking and 3,000 incidents which involved pedestrians and e-bike riders.
So far the biggest headache for traffic authorities has been the e-bike riders, with police issuing tickets to drivers who commit traffic violations that include running red lights, driving in the wrong direction, riding in the vehicle lane, carrying illegal passengers and driving without licenses. (Now would be a good time to get your scooter licensed if you haven't already).
“Many violators seem to be either unaware of the rules or are just used to ignoring them,” one police officer told Shanghai Daily. Some of the penalized motorbike drivers reportedly went as far as attacking police officers.
Pedestrians have also been targeted — here at That's Shanghai we've heard of even jaywalkers getting fined.
Police have also been targeting illegally parked vehicles — and they are not, we repeat, NOT afraid to go after luxury cars. According to Shanghai Daily, 21 tow trucks were deployed in Huangpu district last weekend, including two vehicles that have the capability to haul away luxury cars. (Is nothing sacred?) No one is safe, you guys:
"A blue Porsche Cayenne that was illegally parked on Luxiangyuan Road near Renmin Road and blocking traffic was towed away, and a Mercedes-Benz parked near the Fairmont Peace Hotel on Nanjing Road E. was taken away way a few minutes later."
Penalties issued so far have ranged anywhere from RMB20-200, but fines are subject to change according to Shanghai's traffic laws and are based on the seriousness of the offense.
[Images via INAutoNews, CNN]
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