Citizens of Wuho City in south China's Anhui province are now being caught on camera--- in taxis all over the city.

The free installation of GPS monitoring systems in taxis officially started in Wuhu City in August of 2010. It is estimated that the installation on all 3,024 taxis will be completed by mid-October.

Yao Aiqun, the head of the Taxi Management Bureau, said that when the taxi driver starts the meter, the camera will also be turned on. The situation inside the car will be recorded by the camera and saved in the GPS system.

Taxi GPS systems have been widely used in many cities. Chongqing Municipality and several other cities like Xi'an, Baotou, Nanchang and Zaozhuang are also preparing to equip the taxis with the new system.

Feng Yuan, a taxi driver in Nanchang City, south China's Jiangxi Province, said that he has not yet adapted to the camera. "Since the camera was installed, I am more cautious in my every move, fearing any of my improper actions being recorded," he said.

However, most of the taxi drivers in Wuhu City support the installation.

Li Ning, who has been a taxi driver for over 10 years, said driving a taxi can be a high-risk vocation, especially at night. He said that the cameras installed in taxis will help deter crime. "Taxi drivers can press a special button to call the police when they are in danger. At the same time, an LED screen in the rear of the car will show the words 'I am robbed, call the police.'" Yao Aiqun said. "The monitor center will connect with public security bureau, allowing the police to quickly react and ensure the safety of the drivers," he adds.

Yao Aiqun said the enterprise responsible for the installation was determined by public bidding, and the installation charge can be reimbursed by posting advertisements via the LED screen.

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