The capital's cyclists and pedestrians need to be on their best behaviour after traffic police launched a 40-day road regulation crackdown.

Hailing a taxi from the wrong place will be punished with a fine as will improper parking of bicycles.

The traffic police will also be checking the credentials of those who drive vehicles especially for the disabled, reports the Beijing News.

Calling a taxi whilst in the lane for motor vehicles, cycling under the influence of alcohol or distributing pamphlets in vehicle lanes will all be punishable by a fine of between 20 and 50 yuan (US$2.5-6.2).

Other misdemeanors, such as non-motor vehicles jumping red lights, cycling on pedestrian crossings or illegally refitting vehicles, are also targeted by the disciplinary move and will be punished, said the newspaper.

The reason for these tough measures, according to Beijing Traffic Management Bureau, is that such violations of traffic rules have become deep-rooted bad habits with some residents. This in turn seriously affects the capital's traffic movement and safety and needs to be corrected.

In order to fulfil the task, many law enforcement departments, such as traffic administration agencies, urban management authorities, public security departments and administrations for industry and commerce, will join forces in an effort to make all road users more law abiding, reported the newspaper.

During the morning and evening rush hour, at least 10,000 law enforcement workers will be dispatched to posts at major roads and intersections to check the behavior of pedestrians and cyclists, according to the report.

Enforcers of regulations will be on duty at 100 main crossroads equipped with traffic lights and 43 roads within the Fifth Ring Road, as well as in the capital's outskirts, during the 40 days period.

It is expected that after the intensive road discipline drive, 98 percent of the pedestrians and cyclists will abide by traffic rules on the major routes. On other roads, it is hoped such infringements will not exceed 5 percent.

On the four most important avenues in the capital, Chang'an, Ping'an, Qian Sanmen and Guang'an, the communications conditions are required to measure up to national standards. For example, no pedestrians are to cross the road when red light is on; people must not jump red lights, or distribute pamphlets in the middle of the road. There should also be no unlicensed vendors and no illegal advertising billboards along the roads.

"Many traffic accidents are caused by traffic rule violations on the part of pedestrians or cyclists," said Li Jianhua, director of the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau.

In the first half of this year, for example, there were 89 traffic accidents and 89 deaths for which non-motor vehicles or pedestrians were held responsible, said Li.

(China Daily August 22, 2005)