A traffic police officer escorts a scooter rider from a road. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

It has been over a week since Shanghai launched a major crackdown on traffic violations on March 24. The crackdown is spread over 79 major roads and 160 key intersections in the downtown area of Shanghai but is not limited to these locations.

An expat rides his skateboard along Nanjing Road West. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

 But the campaign has not gone smoothly for some. Up to March 30, there had been 39 instances where individuals resisted police and 51 people have been arrested for this. Some of those involved were charged with obstructing police in the course of their duty. Officials say traffic violations are a major factor in causing congestion on city roads. Bai Shaokang, the vice mayor and head of the public security bureau in Shanghai, said: "The factors that cause chaos in Shanghai's traffic are complicated and deep-rooted. But one of the major factors is the great number of traffic violations which happen everywhere. Even though the traffic police work hard to prevent them, these violations occur repeatedly."

Police officers pull a driver over for questioning. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

On March 31 during a visit to the Shanghai Municipal Transport Commission, the Shanghai major, Yang Xiong, said: "We should control the traffic strictly according to law, and not be softhearted."

The driver on the right has ignored the lane markings. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

 The campaign has focused on 10 major violations including illegal parking, misusing horns, non-motorized vehicle violations, jay walking, and illegal license plates. In 2015 Shanghai police issued 138,567 tickets for traffic violations.

A police officer checks a car's temporary license plates. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

 On April 1 the Shanghai Public Security Bureau announced a new license plate regulation. Vehicles using temporary license plates issued in other provinces will not be allowed to use Shanghai's Outer Ring Road or drive within the Outer Ring Road area. Anyone caught doing this faces a fine of 200 yuan ($31) and loses three points from their driver's license. 

This car has stopped on a pedestrian crossing. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

 

This car is parked on a sidewalk and blocks a gateway. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

 

This car waits on a bus stop. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

 

An overloaded freight trike is in a motor vehicle-only lane. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

 

This pedestrian ignores the crossing to get to the other side of the road. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

 

A police officer explains to a cyclist that he is not allowed to ride in this lane. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

Compiled by Yang Lan based on stories from thepaper.cn
Newspaper headline: Time for a ticket!