Plainclothes traffic assistants in Shanghai are photographing traffic violators in streets in Huangpu, Luwan and Jing'an districts between the hours of 7 AM and 7 PM in a new initiative which got underway on Monday. Pictures will be transferred to the district office responsible for cultural and ideological progress and some will be chosen to be displayed in the workplaces of those caught, Oriental Morning Post quoted Zhu Weiming, deputy director of Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau, as saying on Monday.

Hundreds of pictures were snapped that day at crossings near schools, hospitals, office buildings, and government departments. Chen Zhenmin, vice director of the municipal office responsible for cultural and ideological progress, said the move was aimed at reminding people of driving carefully and ensuring that pedestrians also observe the regulations. 

The preliminary plan is for the pictures to be displayed on street side business buildings. The first batch of pictures will go on show in two weeks. 

Sixty key crossings on the inner ring road in 10 districts including Xuhui, Jing'an and Huangpu were selected as "crossings under supervision" zones for improving the traffic order. Pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles ignoring red lights will be punished too. Up to mid-June the goal is to ensure that 90 percent of pedestrians and 95 percent of non-motorized transport observe the traffic rules at 60 crossings. At least one traffic policeman and two traffic assistants will be present at each crossing to direct traffic.

Prof. Zhang Youde with the School of Social Science at Shanghai University, said the move was understandable. But he did not think that it would work much for the floating population since few of them had a regular workplace. As an international metropolis, Shanghai should seek more effective management measures, Zhang suggested.

He felt only improvements in the way of life of citizens could prevent jaywalking and he suggested that native Shanghai residents should act as models and observe the traffic rules.

A teacher, who only gave his surname as Zhang, said, "The move might be very effective and nip bad habits in the bud."

(China.org.cn by Zhang Yunxing, May 10, 2006)