(Photo: VCG)
A city in southwest China has come up with an innovative punishment for first-time minor traffic offenders.
From this week on, people who jaywalk or commit other low-level violations can choose to confess on social media and gather at least 20 likes to avoid a fine, according to police in Dazhou City of southwest China's Sichuan Province.
“Riding my electric scooter in the wrong direction, I was intercepted by police. I realized my mistake. I hereby remind you all that e-scooter riders should also abide by traffic rules,” said one confessional.
Local authorities say this allows offenders to educate their friends so that more people are aware of the issue and thus follow the traffic law.
The move has won support from the public.
On China’s leading social media platform Weibo, user @Keyukeqi said, “It is nice. The offenders are educated and they also spread the rules. It is humanized and creative. Thumbs up!”
User @yibaobaobingtang commented, “It is a nice way to make people remember it for a long time.”
User @24kchunpaopaozao said, “It’s a bit embarrassing to have oneself exposed to the public.”
Lawyer Chen Xiaohu with JunZeJun Law Offices (Chengdu) told Chengdu Business Daily that since offenders could choose to post it online or to receive a fine, there is no invasion of privacy.
But another Chinese city's handling of jaywalking has sparked a public debate over privacy. Jaywalkers caught on camera in southern Shenzhen City will be shown on big screens at intersections together with their names and even ID numbers, thanks to facial recognition technology.
(Photo: VCG)
Other cities across China are piloting new schemes as well to educate people on road safety. For example, offenders are required to watch traffic rules education videos at mobile posts set up at intersections in the southern city of Guangzhou.