Prevent another subway tragedy
- By Li Shen
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China.org.cn, July 11, 2011
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A wounded woman receives medical treatment at the Peking University People's Hospital after an accident happened in the Beijing Zoo Station of Subway Line 4 in downtown Beijing, capital of China, July 5, 2011. One person was killed and 30 others injured, including two seriously, by escalator hitch in the station on Tuesday. [Xinhua/Cheng Li] |
Beijing has launched inspections of its escalators and elevators following the tragic escalator accident last Tuesday that resulted in the death of a 13-year-old boy and 30 others injured. But the government needs to do more to ensure the public's safety.
The public transportation system in Beijing is already under great pressure. Daily passenger traffic on its subways is more than 4 million. Line 4, where the accident occurred, sees more than 880,000 people every day – far more than the 500,000 capacity it was designed for.
The rapid expansion of cities introduces more security problems and hidden dangers. So far, officials have limited the number of travelers during peak rush hours, but this policy alone will not solve all problems. Governments should increase awareness among passengers about the risks of traveling on the subway. They should also seek to prevent accidents rather than simply responding to them.
The ultimate goal of public security is to have zero accidents. In an age of increased concerns with public safety and security, any emergency will stir up public anxiety. While this goal will be impossible to achieve, administrators should have this concept in their minds. Only by establishing a "zero accident" concept will the public feel safe and stable.
Subway operators must undertake more responsibility for people's safety while transportation authorities should strengthen supervision and severely punish those who violate security regulations. Security inspections for escalators and other infrastructure must be thorough and serious. Meanwhile, the public should be more aware of the risk and be trained to deal with public emergencies.
Beijing will add more than five new subway lines in the next four years. This accident has served as a warning for the future. We must not let it happen again.
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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