Ask an Expert

Hike the fine for driving on bus lane

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-05-26 07:59

How do you see the prospect of the special bus lane? Do you think it'll effectively benefit bus takers?

I think it'll largely benefit those working in the central business district (CBD) who cannot afford to buy an apartment in the area. These people, most of whom are from other cities, tend to rent rooms in Tongzhou district, which now will have even quicker access to the CBD thanks to the special bus lane. But I'm afraid the bus lane will be occasionally occupied by small cars. I don't think taxis will do that because we have strict rules: if I drove into a bus lane or emergency lane once, my work permit would be cancelled for one week. I think an orderly traffic flow ultimately relies on a punishment system that's threatening enough. For example, a 200-yuan penalty will be an impressive punishment for me; however, it's nothing to those driving Audis. So, maybe we could imitate Singapore and hand out traffic tickets according to different salary levels, the richer the heavier. Or, we can send those traffic rule violators onto streets to experience the job of traffic assistants so that they would know how hateful it is to behave badly on the roads.

Beijing has recently seen some traffic accidents caused by tired drivers. What do you think about tired driving? How can it be prevented?

Normally, driving for more than four hours should be considered as tired driving, while taxi drivers usually have to drive for a whole day (at least eight hours) plus a very short break in the middle. Some even drive nonstop for around 18 hours a day, because for a taxi driver, time is money. I don't even have one day off in the whole year; I have to work even during New Year's Eve and the Spring Festival. My stupid way to fight tiredness is to pat on my head and bite my finger. For what I earn each month, I have to submit 5,175 yuan to the company and spend around 5,000 yuan on the oil. Then even with a 1,300-yuan oil subsidy, I can only earn between 3,000 to 4,000 a month. To earn more, I have no choice but to drive extra hours. The only way to prevent tired driving is for the company to reduce required submission and have the oil subsidy remains unchanged.

(China Daily 05/26/2011)