OVER the past few years, I have seen many white fences being erected at many roadsides in Shenzhen. Probably the fences were meant to prevent pedestrians from crossing the road at dangerous spots. Although this is a good idea, the person who came up with it does not really understand the local people. Instead of walking safely on the pedestrian path behind the white fence, most pedestrians are now walking on the main road, even in the evening along badly lit stretches of roads. So instead of making it safer for pedestrians, it has become more dangerous.

My suggestion is to educate people as to why those fences are there and issue tickets to pedestrians who walk on main roads. If that does not help, get rid of the fences because they only make matters more dangerous, not any safer.

Jeffry Kuperus via email