中國式過馬路 (zhong guo shi guo ma lu): Crossing the road Chinese style

Crossing the road Chinese style is an ironic catchphrase for a common phenomenon of crossing the road in China. The "Chinese style" means that pedestrians attempt to gather in large groups to cross the street, disregarding the red lights.

According to Chinese traffic laws, pedestrians can be fined up to 50 yuan ($8) for violating the rules about jaywalking on the spot. And recently in many cities across the nation, traffic police have been strictly enforcing the rule.

Besides the authorities' imposing a fine on jaywalkers to deter others, more efforts need to be made to improve both pedestrians' and drivers' habits. There also needs to be better infrastructure, including crossing points, and better use of traffic lights, to build up road safety and efficiency.

(China Daily 04/19/2013 page9)