Shanghai introduces tough new road traffic regulations

A set of new road traffic regulations deemed as the "toughest traffic regulations in history", came into force in Shanghai on Saturday. 

85 percent of the rules under the latest version of the "Regulations of Shanghai Municipality on Road Traffic Administration" are new, compared with the previous version adopted in 1997.

Here is a list of the major new rules:

1. Temporary license plate stickers:

[File photo: Baidu]

1997: A person can apply for a limit of three temporary license plate stickers, valid for 30 days starting from the date of issue.

2017: A person can apply for a limit of only two temporary license plate stickers, valid for 15 days starting from the date issued.

2. "Buying" and "selling" demerit points

[Photo: news.21cn.com]

The new rules forbid people from buying and selling demerit points, as well as touting for business for trading demerit points.

The punishment for people who violate the rules:

People who buy demerit points will receive a fine from 500 yuan (about 73USD) to 2,000 yuan (about 291USD). 

Those who sell demerit points will receive a fine from 1000 yuan (about 145USD) to 5,000 yuan (about 727USD). If the violations are deemed serious, the driver's license may be suspended for between one to three months. 

People who offer to trade demerit points will receive a fine from 2,000 yuan (about 291USD) to 20,000 yuan (about 2,907USD). 

3. Restrictions on electronic device use while driving

[Photo: pixabay.com]

The new rules prohibit drivers from answering and making phone calls, and browsing electronic devices.

4. Passengers are required to wear a seat belt

[Photo: qiche4s.cn]

Passengers who did not wear a seat belt will receive a warning or a fine between 20 yuan (about 3USD) to 50 yuan (about 7USD).

5. Road rules for child passengers

[Photo: cnautonews.com]

Children under 12 are not allowed to ride in the front seat. 

Family vehicles are required to properly install child safety seats for children under 4. 

For those who don't comply, or fail to install one properly, a fine between 50 yuan (about 7USD) to 200 yuan (about 29USD) will be imposed on the driver, and their licenses may be suspended from one to three months.

6. Speed limits 

[Photo: chooseauto.com.cn]

The maximum speed limit (not on a high-speed road) is 80 km/h.

7. Changing lanes

[Photo: news.163.com]

Drivers are not allowed to hog two lanes at once. 

For those who violate this rule, a fine between 50 yuan (about 7USD) to 200 yuan (about 29USD) will be imposed.

8. Responding to notice of traffic offenses

[Photo: wf777.com]

Drivers must respond within 15 days after a notice of traffic offense is received. 

For those who don't respond after five occasions, their licenses may be suspended. 

9. Bus lanes

[Photo: geograph.ie]

Some vehicles such as authorized emergency vehicles, school buses, passenger service vehicles that can accommodate over 20 passengers and with passengers on board can enter a bus lane.

Other vehicles can use bus lanes during weekends and public holidays.

10. "social-credit system" vs traffic violations

[Photo: epaper.jzrb.com]

Under any of the following circumstances, the driver's "social credit" rating will be affected:

1)Those who have seriously violated traffic rules.

2)Those whose licenses are suspended temporarily or permanently, and those who were detained for traffic violations.

3)Those who buy and sell demerit points, or introduce business for trading demerit points. 

4)Those who fled the scene of a car accident.

5)Those who didn't respond to notices of traffic offenses five times within a year.

11. Multiple punishments

[Photo: 360doc.com]

For drivers who violate certain rules more than 10 times within a year, other punishments will be imposed, apart from the punishments they have received from violating each of the 10 rules.