Zebra Crossings Might Soon Become Much Safer in Shanghai

After a proposal submitted to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Shanghai, local political advisers have urged a crackdown on vehicles that don’t yield to pedestrians, especially buses.

The goal of the crackdown is to make it safer for pedestrians to legally cross the road. Similar measures have been introduced in Hangzhou and Harbin, where officials say enforcement is strict.

The law in Shanghai already states that pedestrians have the right of way, but as anyone who has walked around the city knows, vehicles frequently ignore the rule.

This latest measure in pedestrian safety calls for bus companies to be apprised of the punishments drivers could face should they flout the law. Technology will also be used to catch and punish offending drivers. The penalty carries a RMB100 fine and three license demerit points.

Shanghai traffic police also claim a recent addition of cameras to select crosswalks. They plan to launch a public education program shortly. 

[Images via Flickr]