Shanghai to be ssshanghai

Published Jun 27, 2007

Share

From this weekend, those who make "unnecessary" use of hooters or bells will face fines of up to 200 yuan (R170).

Drivers will be allowed to use their hooters only outside the Outer Ring Road and police sirens will be banned except in emergencies. The longer drivers blow their hooters, the bigger the fine, according to the Shanghai Daily.

The measure is the latest in a series designed to improve behaviour on the streets. In the capital, Beijing, officials recently imposed fines for everything from spitting to littering.

At least 50 people have already been arrested and thousands of litter bags have been handed out to tourists. The city's 45 000 taxis are to be fitted with spit-sacks to discourage drivers from hawking out the window.

The 11th day of every month has been named "voluntarily wait-in-line day" in an attempt to turn jostling crowds into something like orderly queues.

Efforts are also being made to reduce smoking at Olympic sites. Last week security guards clashed with workers taking a cigarette break during the construction of the National Stadium.

With 320 million smokers across the country - about a third of the world smoking population - the restrictions are unlikely to be accepted without challenge. - Sunday Tribune Foreign Service

Related Topics: