A jaywalker in Ji’an, eastern China’s Jiangxi province, was punished to shout “I won’t do this again” 100 times after running the red light on July 19.
Though the punishment triggered a heated online debate, it was praised by most netizens.
A motorcycle rider also ran the red light the same day. He was later punished by local traffic police in the same way through a loud-speaker.
According to a police officer surnamed Gao, their practice started at the beginning of July and has so far received good results. “We could punish 70 or 80 people at the beginning, but the number has obviously dropped as the campaign continues,” he explained.
The special punishment has also been appreciated by most pedestrians and those punished. They understand and support it, saying police officers are only trying to save lives.
Some netizens said those who break rules will be sincerely convinced after they are punished and sensitized in this manner.
A local lawyer surnamed Wang explained that traffic police officers have a variety of legitimate ways to sensitize jaywalkers, and such practice does not violate people’s dignity.