Drivers Now Face Fines for Using Their Phones in Shenzhen

By Jesse Pottinger, July 4, 2018

Shenzhen drivers who are caught using their cell phone while behind the wheel now face a fine of RMB300, as well as two penalty points added to their license, according to Shenzhen Daily.

While police say that hands-free communication is exempt from the new law, anything from calling and texting to using WeChat or gaming at a red light can land you a violation.

However, the regulations do not apply to Didi and taxi drivers who use their phones for GPS or communication with customers, a Shenzhen Traffic Bureau staff member told That's.

At a recent news conference, local traffic police announced that they will use motorcycle patrol units and a network of monitoring cameras to enforce the new law, with 1,300 officers now dispatched throughout major roads and intersections.

They also encourage the public to report violators (just not while you’re driving), and promise compensation for those who do so.

"We use AI technology in image recognition. By analyzing drivers' hand gestures, facial characteristics and vehicle license plates, the machines can quickly recognize the driver and determine if it is a violation," says Chen Yanhong, an official with Shenzhen's traffic police, according to China Daily.

There are reportedly over 500 surveillance cameras dotted throughout Shenzhen’s network of streets, all utilizing advanced facial recognition software.

Chen says that they can now examine over 20 million images each day thanks to the new technology.

The use of cell phones while driving is becoming increasingly common in Shenzhen. The number of reported cases rose from 11,000 in 2016 to a then-record 18,000 in 2017, and is 21,415 and counting so far this year, according to China Daily.

Shenzhen authorities have also reported 13 accidents involving the use of mobile phones since 2017, with four resulting in death.

Most recently, Shuiguan Expressway saw a serious crash when a truck driver accidentally swerved right while reaching for his mobile. Despite overturning his vehicle and colliding with another car, he sustained no life-threatening injuries.

In another incident on May 21, an e-bike driver was killed on Dapeng’s Pingxi Road when a driver got distracted by his GPS, according to Shenzhen Daily.

Authorities cited figures suggesting that texting while driving makes accidents 23 times more likely, while people making calls are 2.8 times more likely to crash.

For those who can afford to drive in Shenzhen, an RMB300 fine might not be a huge deterrent. However, collecting too many penalty points can result in a suspended license.

According to the Beijing Expat Service Center, under China’s penalty point system – amended in 2013 – violations can range from one to twelve points. Drivers who receive 12 points within a year will have their license suspended, and are required to retake a driving course.

Additional reporting by Tristin Zhang.

[Cover image via Ellsworth Air Force Base]