SHENZHEN police will punish acts of illegal parking with heavy penalties in what’s known as the “strict area,” which encompasses parts of Futian and Luohu districts.

    The area is marked by Bao’an Road in the east, Xinzhou Road in the west, Beihuan Boulevard and Nigang Road in the north and the border roads with Hong Kong in the south, police said at a news conference, in which they announced interpretations of new traffic regulations that will take effect Jan. 1.

    The spokesman said the police department will provide detailed methods of punishment for illegal parking in this area at an appropriate time.

    Starting from Jan. 1, Shenzhen will increase the minimum fine for illegal roadside parking from the present 200 yuan (US$33) to 500 yuan, according to the new regulations.

    Police will be able to fine drivers between 200 and 2,000 yuan for illegal parking, depending on factors such as the time and place of the violation and its severity in creating traffic congestion.

    They can also order drivers who illegally park their cars in restricted areas, such as the airport, ports, checkpoints and railway stations, to leave. If drivers refuse to drive away, or aren’t at the scene, police can tow their vehicles to designated places.

    Police will notify drivers to cease driving if they fail to deal with their violation within 45 days of it being captured by surveillance cameras.

    If violators are caught again within 45 days, drivers of what are considered heavy vehicles will be fined 1,000 yuan and drivers of light vehicles will be fined 300 yuan. Police will be able to impound vehicles until the violations are dealt with.

    Drivers who park illegally in restricted areas, near bus stops, entrances or exits of housing estates, or places which could cause traffic congestion, will be towed away.

    “Drivers who violate the merging rule, which requires them to take turns while merging lanes, will be fined 300 yuan,” said Li Guangqun, head of the legislative affairs office with Shenzhen traffic police bureau.

    Also, drivers who don’t give way to special vehicles such as police cars, engineering vehicles, fire engines and ambulances, will be fined 1,000 yuan, more than three times the present punishment. They will have three penalty points added to the drivers’ licenses as well.

    Police will release the names of companies whose employees have violated traffic rules three times in a month while using electric bikes for courier and delivery services. Children under age 4 are required to sit in child seats, otherwise the driver will be fined 300 yuan. Children under age 12 aren’t allowed to sit in the passenger seat.(Han Ximin)