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Traffic police targets occupying highway emergency lanes offenses

Xinhua, November 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

The illegal use of emergency lanes is a huge problem in China as drivers keen to race ahead give into temptation and use the lane reserved for ambulances and other quick-response vehicles.

A taxi driver died in his car after being rear-ended on a highway in Zhejiang Province during the National Day holiday, there were so many cars in the emergency lane that the ambulance could not get to him in time.

Just a few days ago, state broadcaster CCTV reported that firefighters in southwest Gansu Province had to run for eight kilometers to put out a fire because the firetruck was stuck in the blocked emergency lane.

In addition, there is no unified system for police to report and track traffic incidents, with many out-of-town drivers going unpunished as police bureaus just do not communicate.

The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on Thursday, however, released a circular vowing to address these problems. It clearly ordered all traffic police to enhance cooperation by sharing data and ensure drivers are taken to task for road offenses.

More than 45,000 cases of illegal lane use were reported during the seven-day National Day holiday, according to the MPS.

The problem illustrates how China, the world's largest auto market, is struggling to equip its drivers with a conscientious approach to road usage.

On Wednesday, the MPS said it will launch a campaign on the rules of the road and driving etiquette ahead of National Traffic Safety Day, which will fall on Dec. 2. Endi