Beijing's military forces have been ordered to impose stricter
monitoring of their vehicles and harsher penalties on drivers who
flout traffic laws and regulations.
The four general departments of the People's Liberation Army
(PLA) -- the Headquarters of the General Staff, General Political
Department, General Logistics Department and General Armament
Department – are conducting a joint campaign to raise driving
standards in the capital, according to the Beijing News on
Sunday.
The campaign, due to run till the end of the year, also targets
leading organs of the Communist Party and government, said the
report.
These bodies are usually equipped with cars bearing military
license plates, indicating the rank of their owners or
passengers.
"Frequent violations of traffic laws and other regulations have
tarnished the army's image among the people," according to an
announcement made by the four PLA general departments.
In China, military cars are legally entitled to privileges,
including exemption from road tolls, but are often seen abusing
said privileges by speeding, erratically changing lanes and running
red lights. In some cases, police have found illegal or fake
military license plates used by law breakers.
Police officers are usually reluctant to pull over drivers of
military cars for fear of their military and political
standings.
Beijing's military personnel as well as the Party and government
should strengthen the management of vehicles and set a good example
on the road, said the announcement.
The announcement failed to elaborate on the penalties military
units or drivers of military vehicles might face if convicted.
It also asked for closer cooperation between military units and
law enforcement departments to get bogus military cars off the
road.
A number of military plates, which differ from ordinary vehicle
plates in color and numbers, have been issued against regulations
to the public, exempting them from road tolls and parking fees.
The announcement ordered a thorough check of all military
vehicles and the revocation of illegally-granted plates and
licenses.
The four departments initiated the campaign in response to
public complaints.
"Troops stationed in Beijing have made progress toward
standardization and modernization, but loopholes in management,
idleness and demoralization among a few military units are eroding
the army's reputation," said the announcement.
The campaign has the twin aims of improving military vehicle
management and of schooling all military personnel in better
understanding areas of public interest and etiquette.
(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2006)