'Extremely strict' driving regulations enforced from Saturday
If you've been here for more than a few weeks, you're probably well aware of the organised chaos that is Shanghai driving. The city has some of the worst road congestion in China, and last year the number of registered cars in the city increased 13 percent to nearly 2.5 million according to Shanghai Daily.
In the hope of improving road safety, authorities have decided to toughen traffic regulations as of Saturday 25 March. These new regulations are said to be the 'most stringent' traffic laws enforced in the history of Shanghai. Here's a quick guide to them:
Using mobile phones whilst driving is prohibited. Previously only answering or making phone calls was prohibited. Now it's illegal to use your phone at all, which includes using WeChat, playing games and so on. The rule even mentions laptops and tablets now being prohibited too.
Passengers will be fined up to 50RMB for not wearing seat belts.
Drivers who accumulate five or more unsettled traffic violations risk having their license suspended. Drivers can lose their license completely if they commit 10 serious driving violations in one year. It is recommended that drivers download the traffic management app to check their traffic violation record monthly.
License point trading (drivers buying and selling points on driving licenses to avoid being banned) is prohibited. It will result in fines up to 20,000RMB and/or suspension of driving licenses for up to three months.
All vehicles can now drive in bus lanes during weekends and public holidays. There's one exception: the congestion-defying trolleybus 71 lane on Yanan Lu remains out of bounds.
A maximum of two temporary license plates can be applied now for every new car, each with a validity of 15 days. Previously, new cars were entitled to three temporary license plates, each with a validity of one month. With this new regulation in place, it is best to get your car only after a successful license plate bidding.
Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to sit on the front passenger seat. Children under the age of four must also use safety seats. If caught not ensuring child safety, violators will be fined up to 200RMB and/or suspension of driving license for up to three months.
New speed restrictions will be enforced on all roads, with exception of expressways. Roads with two or more lanes have a 60km/h limit. When driving on bigger roads the limit is 80km/h. Drivers will also be fined 200RMB for cutting two lanes continuously.
'Private' parking spaces in front of hotels will be removed.
These new regulations will probably take a while to get used to. Some people might even be unhappy about it. But if they help make Shanghai driving a safer and less hair-raising experience we're all for it.
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