A professor at a prestigious university in Shanghai was killed
recently as he made a sudden left turn on his bike across the road
-- right into a passing car.
Similar traffic accidents claimed the lives of 253 people in
Shanghai last year, about five victims a week on average, said a
source from the city's traffic police.
In
a fast-moving urban society, some people, particularly migrating
workers from the countryside, refused to take the trouble of
walking the extra distance to a zebra crossing, underground
passageway or overhead bridge when they cross a street, he
said.
To
better regulate the behavior of pedestrians and cyclists, Shanghai
ruled in April 2000 that the victim would be the only one to blame
for an accident caused by his own violation of traffic
regulations.
Barely a month later, an old lady was killed when she took the risk
of walking to the other side of a busy street. A Shanghai court
ruled later that no compensation was to be paid to her family as
she was full responsible for her own death.
"This seemingly inhumane rule was quite contrary to the traditional
way of thinking that the victim should be compensated for all his
suffering," said Huang Wuquan, a Shanghai-based professor of law,
"but it did remind some citizens of traffic rules."
The municipal government has also stepped up publicity on traffic
rules and imposed heavy penalties on the offenders.
Since the start of this year, Shanghai has set up bulletin boards
in public areas to promote traffic regulations and raise awareness
of road safety.
In
the near future, the city will open 1,000 film studios where
citizens can learn how to walk down Shanghai's streets in a safer
way.
Shanghai's schools have also stepped up promotion of traffic safety
among the students, and primary school children are all required to
wear a protective bright yellow cap on their way to and from school
-- a clear warning sign to drivers.
(Xinhua News
Agency July 1, 2002)