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A revised traffic regulation, seen as the harshest ever by many, took effect on January 1. Accordingly, drivers who run yellow lights will have six points deducted from the 12 allocated on their licenses. Those who have any part of their vehicles crossing the line at the time of change will not be punished.
The Ministry of Public Security said that while the yellow light acts as a traffic buffer, many motorists deem it a “prompt for acceleration.” A number of traffic accidents were caused by running yellow lights.
The new regulation has caused controversy and complaint among the public. Some argue yellow lights will lose their original function as warning signals if running them carries the same penalty as that for ignoring red lights.
Meanwhile, the ministry, which drew up the new law, claims that if drivers focus on the road, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and slow down when approaching traffic signals, they could avoid rear-end collisions and running yellow lights. The following are excerpts of some opinions:
Opponents
Guo Yuanpeng (www.rednet.cn): It’s unreasonable to treat running a yellow light the same as ignoring a red. Yellow lights warn cars and pedestrians to clear crossings during the transition between green and red. Vehicles that have passed the line can continue while those behind must stop when the light turns yellow.
However, the new regulation stipulates that running a yellow light equals doing so for red, which makes the former useless. Suppose a car is only 0.5 meters behind the line when signals switch, who can stop? Sudden braking might incur bigger danger. Since offence will cost six points, there is no need to retain yellow lights.
Wang Junrong (The Beijing News): According to China’s traffic regulations, a red light indicates stopping while a yellow warns drivers to slow down. Is it proper for both signals to be treated the same?
Severe punishment will make roads safer for cars and pedestrians, but won’t solve the overall problem. In addition, authorities in several cities are having trouble enforcing the new regulation due to relatively outdated equipment and extreme weather conditions.
On January 1, the traffic management department in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, said drivers who run yellow lights will not be punished until traffic lights are fitted with detection systems. The timing of traffic signals will also be considered before enforcing penalties. Similar measures have been taken in Jinan, capital of Shandong Province, where running yellow lights will not be made punishable due to the difficulty of providing evidence. Road safety can’t be achieved by depending on severe punishment alone. In a call for more effective laws, some netizens have suggested installing signal countdown devices to assist drivers in judging how much time they have to cross traffic intersections.
I agree that offenders be punished, but is it necessary to knock off six points? It’s the same as running a red light. Perhaps the new law could be made lighter.
Cao Lin (China Youth Daily): Seldom do we see a traffic rule encountering such opposition and complaint. There is little concern over its severity, which is often necessary to ensure safety. Instead, people question its irrational nature. Some suggest it might cause more problems. Drivers do not always know exactly when to apply the brakes.
In many cities, where no signal countdown devices exist, people say they have experienced rearend accidents when trying to brake at yellow lights, in accordance with the new rule. The light, which normally acts as a buffer, has seemingly lost its effect. Slowing down also causes extra congestion.
In response to public doubt, authorities have clearly stated that those already across the line can go while those behind should stop. It’s done little to dispel concern however.
I suggest the new law be made more reasonable before application to effectively help Chinese drivers abide by the rules.
Supporters
Tao Duanfang (The Beijing News): In response to controversy regarding the new “harsh” law, the Public Security Ministry says it is quite helpful and has greatly reduced traffic accidents. As for technical problems related to traffic lights, authorities will make the necessary improvements.
In North America, where the auto industry is much more developed, slowing down at yellow lights and punishments for not doing so, is standard practice. The law does give drivers leeway to speed up should they be too close to the line when signals switch though.
In China, instead of slowing down, drivers take yellow lights as signals to hurry up, increasing safety concerns.
The new regulation is designed to correct this bad habit, but might have gone a little far in its attempt. The fundamental solution for road safety involves educating the public to slow down at traffic intersections.
Wang Dan (www.people.com.cn): As for the new regulation, pedestrians have mostly expressed their support while drivers show opposition.
How should we deal with losing six points off our licenses? I believe it remains a question of public safety. Many drivers have no idea what yellow lights mean, preferring to accelerate, which increases danger.
China is becoming “a country on wheels,” with more citizens owning cars. However, many drivers lack the necessary skills to be on the road. About 95 percent of local accidents occur due to poor conduct and habits, which also lead to traffic jams. It’s high time to promote proper driving practice among Chinese motorists, something the new regulation attempts to do.
It is hoped more people will realize the importance of public safety. In addition, traffic authorities should try to make rules more effective and practical, to keep pace with the ever-rising number of cars on the road.
The Ministry of Public Security said that while the yellow light acts as a traffic buffer, many motorists deem it a “prompt for acceleration.” A number of traffic accidents were caused by running yellow lights.
The new regulation has caused controversy and complaint among the public. Some argue yellow lights will lose their original function as warning signals if running them carries the same penalty as that for ignoring red lights.
Meanwhile, the ministry, which drew up the new law, claims that if drivers focus on the road, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and slow down when approaching traffic signals, they could avoid rear-end collisions and running yellow lights. The following are excerpts of some opinions:
Opponents
Guo Yuanpeng (www.rednet.cn): It’s unreasonable to treat running a yellow light the same as ignoring a red. Yellow lights warn cars and pedestrians to clear crossings during the transition between green and red. Vehicles that have passed the line can continue while those behind must stop when the light turns yellow.
However, the new regulation stipulates that running a yellow light equals doing so for red, which makes the former useless. Suppose a car is only 0.5 meters behind the line when signals switch, who can stop? Sudden braking might incur bigger danger. Since offence will cost six points, there is no need to retain yellow lights.
Wang Junrong (The Beijing News): According to China’s traffic regulations, a red light indicates stopping while a yellow warns drivers to slow down. Is it proper for both signals to be treated the same?
Severe punishment will make roads safer for cars and pedestrians, but won’t solve the overall problem. In addition, authorities in several cities are having trouble enforcing the new regulation due to relatively outdated equipment and extreme weather conditions.
On January 1, the traffic management department in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, said drivers who run yellow lights will not be punished until traffic lights are fitted with detection systems. The timing of traffic signals will also be considered before enforcing penalties. Similar measures have been taken in Jinan, capital of Shandong Province, where running yellow lights will not be made punishable due to the difficulty of providing evidence. Road safety can’t be achieved by depending on severe punishment alone. In a call for more effective laws, some netizens have suggested installing signal countdown devices to assist drivers in judging how much time they have to cross traffic intersections.
I agree that offenders be punished, but is it necessary to knock off six points? It’s the same as running a red light. Perhaps the new law could be made lighter.
Cao Lin (China Youth Daily): Seldom do we see a traffic rule encountering such opposition and complaint. There is little concern over its severity, which is often necessary to ensure safety. Instead, people question its irrational nature. Some suggest it might cause more problems. Drivers do not always know exactly when to apply the brakes.
In many cities, where no signal countdown devices exist, people say they have experienced rearend accidents when trying to brake at yellow lights, in accordance with the new rule. The light, which normally acts as a buffer, has seemingly lost its effect. Slowing down also causes extra congestion.
In response to public doubt, authorities have clearly stated that those already across the line can go while those behind should stop. It’s done little to dispel concern however.
I suggest the new law be made more reasonable before application to effectively help Chinese drivers abide by the rules.
Supporters
Tao Duanfang (The Beijing News): In response to controversy regarding the new “harsh” law, the Public Security Ministry says it is quite helpful and has greatly reduced traffic accidents. As for technical problems related to traffic lights, authorities will make the necessary improvements.
In North America, where the auto industry is much more developed, slowing down at yellow lights and punishments for not doing so, is standard practice. The law does give drivers leeway to speed up should they be too close to the line when signals switch though.
In China, instead of slowing down, drivers take yellow lights as signals to hurry up, increasing safety concerns.
The new regulation is designed to correct this bad habit, but might have gone a little far in its attempt. The fundamental solution for road safety involves educating the public to slow down at traffic intersections.
Wang Dan (www.people.com.cn): As for the new regulation, pedestrians have mostly expressed their support while drivers show opposition.
How should we deal with losing six points off our licenses? I believe it remains a question of public safety. Many drivers have no idea what yellow lights mean, preferring to accelerate, which increases danger.
China is becoming “a country on wheels,” with more citizens owning cars. However, many drivers lack the necessary skills to be on the road. About 95 percent of local accidents occur due to poor conduct and habits, which also lead to traffic jams. It’s high time to promote proper driving practice among Chinese motorists, something the new regulation attempts to do.
It is hoped more people will realize the importance of public safety. In addition, traffic authorities should try to make rules more effective and practical, to keep pace with the ever-rising number of cars on the road.