-
Advertisement
Trending in China
People & CultureTrending in China

China ‘city of humour’ is only place in nation with safety road signs warning drivers against joking

Cartoon overhead sign depicts driver and passenger cracking gags in car; hazard warning amuses tourists and locals alike

2-MIN READ2-MIN
Listen
Tianjin is the only city in China with road signs advising drivers against joking for safety reasons. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Sohu
Fran Luin Beijing

The northern Chinese city of Tianjin is the only place in the country that has road signs warning drivers not to make jokes while driving for their safety.

The sign features a cartoon of a driver and a passenger cracking jokes, with a slogan that says “Making jokes while driving is a safety hazard”.

Middle-aged men jump and dive off a bridge in Tianjin in one of the city’s many quirks. Photo: Zhihu
Middle-aged men jump and dive off a bridge in Tianjin in one of the city’s many quirks. Photo: Zhihu

It went viral after several tourists spotted it and posted it online, and came as a shock to both travellers and locals.

Advertisement

“It is true that only Tianjin needs a sign like this,” said one tourist.

A Tianjin local said: “We do need this because my husband often misses turns or red lights when I ride with him. I did not know other cities do not have such a sign.”

Advertisement

Many said the sign confirmed the stereotype about Tianjin that “everyone there is funny”.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x