Shenzhen: Road campaign targets unruly pedestrians

BEIJING, March 19 -- People who are caught crossing roads in spite of red pedestrian lights will be fined 20 yuan (7 U.S. dollars), according to a new road safety campaign initiated Monday.

The campaign will focus on violations committed by pedestrians, such as disobeying traffic lights and jumping over road dividers, sources with the city traffic bureau said.

The police will deploy more staff to patrol roads from 8:00 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Friday. Officers in 40 police stations and district public security bureaus, will team up with 21 brigades to tackle violations during the campaign period, which runs until Aug. 31.

The campaign aims to ensure pedestrians commit less violations, and cause less accidents.

Traffic police authorities estimate there are more than 1,000 pedestrians violate traffic rules every day in Shenzhen. In 2007, the city recorded 1,420 accidents caused by pedestrians, who disobeyed traffic lights. The accidents killed 352 people and injured 1,403.

(Source: Shenzhen Daily)