Beijing gets into gear with road safety

The government announced last Friday that tougher penalties for motorists who run red lights will take effect from January 1, 2013.

Motorists caught running red lights twice will have their driver's license revoked and be required to pass another driving test to earn it back. But it's not just people behind the wheel who are misbehaving on roads. Web users recently lambasted pedestrians and made light of the "typical Chinese way of crossing the road," which supposedly involves ignoring traffic lights and joining groups of people to jaywalk.

What are your thoughts on traffic in Beijing? How does it compare to traffic in your home country? Do you think tougher penalties will help eradicate traffic chaos? Liu Yixin hit the streets to find out.

Forrest Dietrich, US, executive director

Basically, Beijing motorists don't follow road rules very well. If penalties punish drivers in the short-term, they can be ineffective. Making sure motorists are qualified is a good approach as it requires training and is more long-term. In the US, first time offenders receive a heavy fine and they risk losing their license if they re-offend.

Kimakko Umekko, Japan, communications engineer

In Japan, motorists who run red lights have to pay fines and lose demerit points on their driver's license. This makes it difficult for them to remain credible among relatives and colleagues. I don't know much about Beijing drivers but I know they are fond of honking their horns, which is different from Japan. I heard that in Beijing car accidents are the main cause of the traffic chaos. In my opinion, a better way to tackle the problem is to develop more satellite cities to ease traffic congestion.

Jan Riedel, Germany, student

There are a lot of cars in Beijing. I wouldn't say motorists or pedestrians are impolite, I would just say they are crowded. Harsher penalties can definitely improve the traffic situation. Having fewer cars and wider roads might help, but penalties are most effective. In Germany, the consequences for running red lights can be harsh.

Lyn Sey, UK, designer

I think Beijing motorists are OK; they aren't too fast or too crazy compared to some other cities, but many don't stop at red lights. Drivers don't stop even if they see you're crossing the road. One way to tackle this problem is to change the culture of thinking among people in regards to road safety through advertising and education awareness campaigns.

Li Lanqing, China, doctor

I think Beijing motorists are much more polite than those in Tianjin. In Beijing, there are fewer motorists who change lanes without signaling. But there are still those reckless ones who drive in the emergency vehicle or bicycle lane. I agree that the key to improving road safety is tougher penalties.

Li Sichen, China, editor

I don't like rude drivers who never give way to pedestrians. But honestly, I am among those passers-by who often ignore traffic lights. However, I find it is easier to cross the roads in Beijing than in Vietnam, where the roads are always packed with crazy motorcyclists!