As the Qingming Festival of 2013 approaches, are you ready to hit the road with your beloved car? With urban roads becoming increasingly congested and traffic conditions more complex, going out can be a real challenge, and traffic tickets have become one of the most troublesome obstacles. So, how can you avoid or minimize getting fined? Let’s hear some “smart tips” from Neijiang traffic police.
Beware of “traps”: Remote alleys are key monitoring spots
It’s normal to need to park temporarily while driving. When you do, always choose a spot without a no-parking sign. It’s reported that many intersection cameras now have mobile shooting capabilities, and some areas even deploy mobile police enforcement vehicles for random filming. Moreover, many new drivers assume that remote alleys are safe from traffic police—but in fact, narrow lanes are prone to fines precisely because illegal parking there obstructs traffic.
Many drivers take chances when parking, thinking that since there are no police around and the alley is remote, they won’t get caught—only to end up with a ticket.
Watch out for “bombs”: Speeding and lane violations are the most common reasons for fines
“Speeding, illegal parking, running red lights, not wearing a seatbelt, driving over solid lines, going the wrong way, or using prohibited lanes are all common violations,” said a spokesperson from the Legal Propaganda Department of the Neijiang Public Security Bureau in an interview. Among these, speeding and lane violations top the list and are the most frequent causes of tickets.
Therefore, the most effective, safest, and most reliable method is: before hitting the road, familiarize yourself with traffic conditions, drive at a reduced speed, avoid speeding or reckless driving, and never drive under the influence. Prioritize the safety of yourself and your family, pay close attention to speed limit signs, and avoid exceeding the speed limit.
“Following too closely and accidentally running a red light is also something to watch out for.” Nowadays, urban roads are often heavily congested, and it’s very common to get stuck in long queues after hitting a red light. Therefore, maintain a safe following distance before intersections to effectively avoid rear-end collisions caused by sudden braking and to prevent obstructions that might lead to accidentally running a red light.
Get “protection”: Use navigation wisely but don’t rely on it too much
“I usually follow the alerts from my radar detector and never speed in limited zones—what’s the harm in waiting that extra minute?” said Mr. Zeng, a resident of Neijiang, who is very rule-abiding. He thinks installing a radar detector is great because it warns you about speed limits on different road sections. However, whether one actually follows those alerts varies from person to person.
Additionally, most cars come equipped with a navigation system, which is indeed very helpful for driving. But traffic police advise that while it can be used as a reference, you shouldn’t rely on it too heavily. Urban development is extremely fast, and navigation updates often can’t keep up with changes in road conditions—especially when traveling. So besides relying on navigation, pay extra attention to road signs to avoid violations caused by incorrect guidance.