With Qingming Festival 2013 approaching, are you ready to hit the road with your beloved car? As urban roads become 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 have mobile police enforcement vehicles conducting random patrols. Moreover, many new drivers assume that remote alleys are free from traffic police enforcement. In fact, on narrow lanes, illegal parking can obstruct traffic, making these areas common spots for getting ticketed.
Many drivers take chances when parking, thinking there are no police around and it’s a secluded alley, only to end up with a fine.
Beware of “bombs” – Speeding and lane violations are the easiest ways to get fined
“Speeding, illegal parking, running red lights, not wearing a seatbelt, driving over solid lines, driving in the wrong direction or restricted lanes are common violations,” said a relevant official from the Legal Propaganda Department of the Neijiang Public Security Bureau in an interview. Among these, speeding and lane violations top the list and result in the most fines.
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 do not exceed the speed limit.
“Following too closely and accidentally running a red light is also something to watch out for.” Nowadays, urban roads are heavily congested, and it’s very common to get stuck in long queues after encountering 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 in your view that might lead to accidentally running a red light.
Get “protection” – Use navigation devices wisely but don’t rely on them too much
“I usually follow the alerts from my radar detector and never speed in speed-limit zones – what’s the point of saving that one minute?” said Mr. Zeng, a resident of Neijiang, who is very rule-abiding. He thinks installing a radar detector is great because it alerts you to speed limits on different road sections. However, whether one follows those alerts depends on the individual.
In addition, most cars come equipped with navigation systems, which are indeed very helpful for driving. But traffic police advise that while you can use navigation as a reference, you should not rely on it too much. Urban development is happening rapidly, and navigation updates often can’t keep up with changes in road conditions, especially when traveling. Therefore, besides relying on navigation, you should also pay close attention to road signs to avoid violations caused by incorrect navigation instructions.