Road tragedies scream for ethics and rules_其他

Road tragedies scream for ethics and rules

In most cases, they do not intentionally behave in these ways. They simply do not have the sense to spare a thought for other road users. They are not conscious that their acts are posing a danger to other people - and to themselves. They are simply selfish.

In a forum discussing urban transportation held in 2008, Duan Liren, a road traffic researcher, said: "The fatality rate on China's roads now is the highest in the world." Whether the claim is correct or not is open to debate, but the chaotic state on most of China's roads is apparent.

The authorities have shown great concern about the problem and have taken drastic measures to address it. They have launched campaigns to crack down on motorists who beat red lights or drive under the influence of alcohol. But they seldom mete out serious punishment to motorists making "minor mistakes" such as refusing to yield to pedestrians and keeping their headlights on at oncoming vehicles at night.

It is these "minor mistakes" that best mirror the poor road ethics of Chinese motorists. If such mistakes are not dealt with as seriously as with drunk driving, Chinese drivers will never change their bad habits and there will never be a gracious "automobile culture" in China.