This South China city is getting tough with pedestrians who violate traffic regulations.

Any pedestrian who crosses against a red light or jumps over a road divider will be fined between 20 yuan ($2.90) and 50 yuan. Those not able to afford the fine will be forced to watch a video on traffic safety.

"We will keep a close eye on 100 key crossings and 10 key roads. We want to educate pedestrians," Lu Zhengguang, a publicity director of the Guangzhou public security bureau, said.

In the past, the traffic management department had said it would impose fines on pedestrians who break traffic rules, but this was not carried out to any great extent.

"The city will no longer tolerate pedestrians who break traffic rules, we must compel them to behave better on the roads," Lu said.

He said past tolerance had led to frequent traffic accidents.

Many residents have welcomed the action, while others are not too happy about the fines.

"People need to develop a habit of abiding by traffic rules and the fines will sooner or later prove effective," Hao Weiling, a resident, said.

"I'm a car driver. I do not like pedestrians who break the rules. It is really very dangerous."

Lin Ling, a kindergarten teacher, is in favor of the fines.

"People in Hong Kong and Singapore obey traffic regulations much better than in Guangzhou," she said. "Punishment can be an effective way to help pedestrians develop good habits."

Gu Xiaohua, an office worker, however, is not in favor of the fines.

"Many traffic signals are not properly set, nor are the road dividers. We waste a lot of time waiting for the traffic lights to turn green. Footbridges are also not properly spaced," he said.

"And, when there are so many traffic violations every day, I wonder how long this campaign will be able to last," he said.

"Education is more important in the long term than fines."

(China Daily June 17, 2008)