Police tell exercisers to stay off the roads

The police in Linyi, Shandong province, are encouraging schools to open their playgrounds to the public for exercise after a taxi drove into a group of people jogging in a vehicle lane, leaving one person dead and two injured.

Traffic police will ask people who jog in vehicle lanes to use the sidewalk and require them not to disturb traffic, the Linyi police said via social media. Those who seriously violate traffic regulations will face punishment.

The Zaoyuan walking team, which has more than 40 members, was notified by police that its members can exercise on the Zaoyuan Middle School playground.

However, a team member said it's more convenient to walk on roads.

"It's dark on the playground at night, as there are no lights. However, considering safety, and if every member agrees to walk there, we'll go," she was quoted as saying by Beijing Times.

Five days after the deadly incident on July 8, a video circulated online showing another group of people dressed in fluorescent clothing jogging at night in vehicle lanes in Linyi.

However, Liu Junhai, the team leader, said the group was not using the vehicle lanes.

"We were walking on the sidewalk. We just used the vehicle lane for a short distance because cars were parked on the sidewalk," he said.

Xu Guilin, head of a sports association, said all walking teams were notified not to use vehicle lanes. If they are found doing so, the team flag and number will be revoked and its leaders will be kicked out.

Responsibility for the deadly accident has not been determined yet.

zhaoruixue@chinadaily.com.cn