Don’t want to share the fact you got busted jaywalking on your WeChat moments? Easy solution: don’t jaywalk. That is the thinking behind a new punishment being dished out by traffic authorities in Guangzhou, which requires jaywalkers to apologize for their offence on social media to avoid a fine.
According to Guangzhou Daily, traffic police have been posted at a busy intersection in Panyu District since the start of March, apprehending jaywalkers and leading them to a roadside booth where they are required to watch a traffic safety video.
If (for reasons that remain unclear) the video is unable to be watched, police will request the offender post a photo – accompanied by a comprehensive rundown of their offence – on WeChat Moments. The post, according to Sixth Tone, should be titled ‘Observing traffic regulations: A civilized society starts with me.’
The post must be shared to 10 chat groups or garner 20 likes – a tall order, considering getting busted jaywalking is in contention for the most unlikeable thing out there.
“We hope every pedestrian will responsibly observe traffic safety rules,” Officer Zhang Wei told a reporter, adding that the intent behind the new punishment was to urge the family and friends of jaywalkers to avoid making the same mistake.
News of this police initiative comes hot on the heels of a report we ran earlier this week about Shenzhen traffic police maintaining a webpage on their official site that names and shames recent jaywalkers. As of Friday, March 23, photos of 15 people were on display, as well as identifying information and the time of their offenses.
[Images via Reuters h/t The Times]
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