Photo shows traffic police officers in a drill. Shenzhen has intensified its crackdowns on traffic violations since August. (Photo/China News Service)
(ECNS) -- Traffic violations will soon underscore people's credit rating and the ability to purchase homes or even finding a job, Shenzhen officials say.
Pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles that violated traffic regulations and refuse to pay fines will receive credit score cuts, deputy director of the traffic police Xu Wei said on Monday.
The scores will be linked with driver licenses, car plates or residence permits. In the future, it will connect with many aspects of life, including education, job searches, mortgage applications, banking and insurance.
"Similar rules are widely adopted by Western countries. We hope a social credit scoring system could help trim traffic violations," Xu said.
Shenzhen, which is just across the border from Hong Kong, has intensified its crackdowns on traffic violations since August. By August 27, 5,232 individuals had accepted punishment, while 3,052 who haven't will face rating cuts.
Construction of the credit system was jointly completed by Shenzhen Traffic Police and Alibaba's subsidiary Ant Financial.
