China cracks down on jaywalkers
By Mika Rekai - Friday, January 11, 2013 - 0 Comments
Traffic wardens are targeting those on foot
In China’s densely populated cities, it’s not uncommon to see cars driving on the wrong side of the street, barrelling down bike lanes or even parked on the sidewalks. In the last two decades, as the number of motorists has grown astronomically, Chinese roads have become a Wild West of traffic violations. In 2011, nearly 70,000 people were killed in traffic accidents, and tens of thousands more were injured. But last month, traffic wardens began fining some of China’s most prevalent lawbreakers: pedestrians.
While some have lauded the government for enforcing any traffic laws at all—speed limits and red lights are routinely ignored—critics say targeting pedestrians is ineffective and unfair.
“Chinese drivers don’t stop at traffic lights, so either you jaywalk or you don’t cross the street,” says Tyler Ehler, a Canadian student living in Nanjing. The problem, says Ehler, is the driving class has simply grown too large, too fast—“teenagers are learning to drive at the same time as their parents.” A country full of new drivers, he says, is bound to have its share of traffic accidents.
While some dismiss traffic accidents as mere growing pains, others question whether China’s thousands of road fatalities are an inevitable consequence of its rise.
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Trashing trucks; burning rubber
By Emma Teitel - Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 2:25 PM - 1 Comment
British Columbia:… A Vancouver couple has been charged with organizing illegal entry into the
British Columbia: A Vancouver couple has been charged with organizing illegal entry into the country under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for allegedly smuggling a Filipino into Canada from Hong Kong, and then forcing her into “domestic servitude.” The housekeeper-nanny was reportedly required to serve the family 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Police say they were called to the residence on an unrelated inquiry when they realized a woman was living there illegally. The couple claims she came to Canada legally.
Alberta: Two men were charged with several counts of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public after allegedly dropping burning bags of balloons from a high-rise apartment in Calgary. The balloons were filled with propane, lit with candles, and launched from a 10th-floor balcony one night in late June. The men, 23 and 26, were also reportedly waving a pellet gun and a plastic sword, respectively. Police say alcohol was a factor.
Saskatchewan: A 50-year-old woman in Saskatoon was charged with jaywalking after getting hit by a car while crossing 22nd Street West at around midnight. She was admitted to the hospital with a leg injury. The 24-year-old driver was following all traffic laws.
Manitoba: A Hanover teenager was charged with three counts of auto theft after allegedly stealing three Dodge Ram pickup trucks in the town of Steinbach, over the span of a few hours. He crashed two of them.
Newfoundland: An Israeli woman was charged with fraud and two counts of impersonation in St. John’s when police caught her going door to door, allegedly trying to pass off generic art prints as original works at a cost of $150 each. The 26-year-old woman, who claimed the prints were from Asia, was also accused of falsely assuming two identities. She pleaded guilty on June 21. Emma Teitel
