Pedestrians in eastern China face US$7 fine for checking mobile phones while crossing the road
- People’s Congress of Jiaxing also warns ‘frolicking’ on zebra crossings will not be tolerated
- Local newspaper says that, as with smoking, public opinion must be shaped to break uncivilised habit
Pedestrians who use their mobile phones while crossing the road in eastern China could face a fine of up to 50 yuan (US$7), according to Chinese state media.
The People’s Congress of Jiaxing in Zhejiang province, the city’s legislature, banned people from browsing on handheld electronic devices such mobile phones or “frolicking” [playing] on zebra crossings, Xinhua reported on Sunday.
People who were caught would face a fine of between five and 50 yuan, the report said. It was not clear when the rule would take effect.
On Monday, the Zhejiang-based Qianjiang Evening News ran an editorial explaining the authorities’ firm stand against such behaviour and called on readers to comply with the new rules.
“It is a kind of value guidance to lead people to develop a mindset of civilised behaviour,” the newspaper said. “Everyone knows that you shouldn’t lower your head to use your mobile while crossing the road. This fact is like [that] everyone knows smoking harms health. But to reduce the hazard of smoking, it’s necessary to legislate against smoking to shape public opinion.”
On Sunday, a Weibo survey of National Business Daily readers found that 60 per cent of the 3,500 who took part said they would look at their phones while crossing the road in case there were important messages. The rest said they would not compromise their safety.