MORE than 40 percent of netizens who responded to a recent survey doubted the effectiveness of new license plate restrictions that police will implement this summer in Nan’ao, Dapeng New Area, to limit the number of vehicles on roads in the tourism hub.

    Police plan to begin the restrictions in July, to ban the use of vehicles with license plates ending in odd or even numbers on designated days and hopefully alleviate traffic jams on weekends and holidays.

    In the survey by www.sznews.com, more than 40 percent of the 568 respondents said the rule would be ineffective because holidaymakers would just borrow friends’ or family members’ cars to travel to the area if their own vehicle was restricted that day. Nearly 28 percent of respondents said the restrictions would control vehicles on the city’s east side and relieve traffic jams, while about 22 percent opposed the policy, saying it would be inconvenient to take public transportation to beaches and resort areas.

    Some respondents said public opinion should be gathered before the restrictions are implemented.

    Jin Xinyi, a political adviser with the municipal committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said the restrictions are necessary but could benefit from a public hearing and suggestions.

    Xu Wei, spokesman for the city’s traffic police bureau, said police may hold a hearing before piloting or implementing such restrictions. He also said the restrictions wouldn’t be expanded to other areas of the city, because the city’s congestion problems could be addressed through other traffic management measures.

    Dapeng New Area has around 5,000 parking places, but during holidays, 15,000 to 20,000 drivers go to the area for leisure and traveling.

    Sixteen tourism agencies protested against the restrictions, claiming they could cause economic losses to hotels and tourism businesses.

    Some Dapeng residents have said they support the policy, even though it would require them to obtain a certificate from police for vehicle use in the area.

    “It is a good idea. On weekends and holidays, we don’t dare to drive out of Dapeng for fear of traffic jams when we return. The policy may be helpful to solve the jams,” said a resident of Wangmu Community.

    (Han Ximin)