Traffic lights are not enough for safety

Should a driver jumping a red light be reminded of the violation with bricks flung at the car? Definitely not. But when the bricks are hurled by people endangered by such violations, who is to blame?

An old chap in his 70s reportedly chucked bricks at as many as 30 passing motor vehicles that jumped red lights on a single night last week. The zebra crossing is located near a densely inhabited residential area in Lanzhou, capital of northwestern Gansu province. After a request from local residents, traffic lights were installed there a year ago. But many motorists have turned a blind eye to the red lights, posing a threat to whoever dares to use the crossing.

The old man has been nearly knocked down by defiant drivers on a number of occasions. His extreme reaction was not only joined by a couple of old fellows but has won praise from pedestrians. Now nary a driver whose cars were pummeled with bricks have stopped and reasoned with the old man, except one recent motorist. Angry looks from passers-by, however, shrunk the driver back into his car and he drove off without saying a word.