The Ministry of Public Security issued new traffic rules last week, which among things says, "drivers caught jumping red lights will be fined six points". This has drawn wide public attention, because drivers can be exempted from paying a fine if they appeal and can prove that they jumped red lights accidentally or mistakenly, says an article in Yangcheng Evening News. Excerpts:

The new traffic rules that impose a six-point penalty on drivers jumping red lights are fair and reasonable. They abide by clauses of the Road Traffic Safety Law and meet the requirements of the Law on Administrative Punishments.

However, many netizens are worried that guilty drivers could use the exceptions in the rules as loopholes to reduce the severity of their punishment. They are also worried that privileged and resourceful people could manipulate the rules to their own advantage.

To strike a balance between strictness and flexibility, law enforcement officers have to tackle cases transparently and the public has to supervise the proceedings. For example, evidence such as videos and photographs should be not only conclusive, but also open to the offenders and the public. Only in this way can drivers caught jumping red lights be convinced and the public effectively supervise law enforcement.

We should build an accountability mechanism for law enforcement, because inappropriate punishment, be it severe or lenient, for an offence would be against the spirit of the law.

(China Daily 10/17/2012 page9)