Street talk about jaywalking

"It doesn't annoy me if drivers run red lights, but I am concerned about the safety of pedestrians who do this. I know quite a few people have been killed or injured in this way.

I think pedestrians in China just don't want to wait, and, anyway, even when the light is green for crossing, cars turning right and left just ignore pedestrians. In addition to a fine for pedestrians, there should be a rule that drivers must give way when the crossing signal is illuminated.

In New Zealand, most people respect the pedestrian lights, but traffic must also give way when they are illuminated. At some crossroads, all traffic is stopped and pedestrians can cross directly or diagonally.

If a proper system is not put in place, pedestrians will cross the roads at other places, away from the lights. In some cities in China, there are too few places for people, especially schoolchildren, to cross busy roads. Special measures should be made for children on their way to school."

Dave Feickert, a coal mine safety adviser to China's State Administration of Work Safety

"I have to pass many intersections every morning on my drive from the Tiantongyuan area to the Guomao Central Business District. It's common for pedestrians and cyclists to ignore the lights, and speaking frankly, I'm used to that.

The phenomenon is especially serious when passing large markets. Many elderly people cross the road wherever they want. In their eyes, the traffic lights only have one color - crossing green.

However, motorists are also to blame; some will suddenly cut into a line of cars or make turns without signaling. It is hard to prepare for their movements.

Moreover, the sequencing and duration of some traffic lights is irrational. The green light never lasts long enough. Pedestrians can easily become stranded in the middle of the road when the lights turn red again.

Beijing is notorious for its traffic jams, and jaywalkers make the situation even worse. It's not uncommon for jaywalkers to block a long line of cars, which means the drivers are forced to stop. They miss their chance to move and then have to wait for the next light."

Sun Xuemei, 33, a Beijing resident who uses her car to commute to work every day