Police target emergency lane occupancy following fatal accident

The police are targeting drivers who use the emergency lane during the week-long National Day holiday, after vehicles blocking the "the passage of life" prevented rescue efforts and resulted in a death.

A driver, stuck in cab after a rear-end accident, died due to delayed rescue efforts on a highway in Zhejiang Province, east China, on Thursday. The emergency lane was congested.

The Ministry of Public Security in a statement issued late on Friday told traffic departments nationwide to keep a look out for vehicles using the emergency lane occupancy.

All freeways in China dedicate the right lane as the emergency lane. Some drivers, however, flout this rule, the statement said.

The police were asked to enhance road patrol so as to "quickly discover transgressions and impose penalties," it said, adding electronic monitoring devices are operating around the clock to capture the violations and heavily fine drivers.

The ministry ordered the police to target congested road sections.

Chinese drivers are familiar with congested highways during the week-long National Day holiday as car ownership increases steadily and people choose to drive during the holiday when all roads are toll free. Endit