Electronic cops to catch drivers using phones while driving soon

Beginning Sept 1, the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau will tighten the screws on traffic rule violators, particularly on those using mobile phones while driving, as a new regulation comes into effect.

Electronic traffic police, which refers to electronic traffic photography and video recording system is important to catch erring drivers. More than 570 traffic cameras will be employed to take photographs of drivers using mobile phones and the violators will be fined and lose 2 points.

Safe driving demands that one stay focused on the road, and mobile phones definitely distract attention. Media reports say that making a phone call while driving reduces drivers' attention by at least 20 percent, while also slowing down their response to an emergency. Many accidents take place because drivers lose focus once they begin talking on mobile phones while driving.

Such risky behavior not only endangers drivers' safety, but also the safety of passengers in the vehicle and the people on the road.

That's why the Road Traffic Safety Law aims to prohibit making and answering phone calls while driving and impose fines on the violators.

Despite the risks from using mobile phones while driving and local traffic management authorities cracking down against it, many people still violate the traffic law thinking the chances of a traffic accident or of being caught are low.

Enforcing the law thus becomes crucial and many local authorities are using modern technology to do so. The traffic authorities in Shandong province even use drones to take photographs of traffic violations.

While enforcing the laws, traffic management authorities should also pay attention to app cabs, whose operation depends wholly on mobile phones. App cabdrivers have to frequently check their mobile phones and even make or answer calls till they locate a passenger who has booked a ride.

- WANG YIQING, CHINA DAILY