Stroll Toll: Beijing to Enforce Fine for Jaywalking

Does anybody in Beijing actually refuse to cross the street unless it's a green light? Maybe it's time to start. Chinese media is reporting that, starting today, Beijing authorities will begin to crackdown on jaywalking.

According to the new policy, pedestrians who are in the middle of an intersection against a stop light will be fined RMB 10. It's unclear as to where in the city the rules will be enforced. The Beijing Traffic Management Bureau has yet to put up any official announcement on their website, so we'll need to wait and see what happens.

Weibo netizens are getting fired up about the new rule. Some are wondering how the city will be able to post traffic police at every intersection, while others embrace the change. One user has even decided to make a game of it:

"I'll make sure to keep RMB 10 in my pocket every day, and if it's not taken by the police, I'll save it in my jar. I think it won't take me too long to raise enough money to get myself an e-bike! Yes!"

In the meantime, it might be wise to observe the traffic signals whenever you spot one of those reflective traffic police vests. Come to think of it, crossing the street on red should be pretty much unthinkable anyway, given the way people drive in this city and the startling width of some of Beijing's roads.

Photo: Twentyfour Students on Flickr