Xi'an Travel: It's Carbs, Carbs, and... Yep, Still Carbs!
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Ah, have you guys noticed this as well?
Recently, the traffic in Hangzhou has become significantly more chaotic compared to before. I can't help but feel...- Drivers who do not use turn signals when changing lanes (i.e., the signal lights should be turned on to indicate a turn or lane change, but now many drivers neglect this!),
- Drivers who don't yield to pedestrians at zebra crossings (These are the white stripes painted on roads for pedestrians to cross safely; nowadays many vehicles won't stop and allow them to pass),
- And those who honk unnecessarily, it's just extremely noisy!
It seems that these disorganized traffic scenarios have multiplied, not just slightly but considerably, compared to before.
Once upon a time, Hangzhou's traffic etiquette was renowned within China as a place where everyone adhered closely to the rules.
So, when did everything change to this extent?
Friendly Warning for Tourists in Hangzhou - Extra Caution When Crossing Roads
- Even if you're walking on a zebra crossing, do not assume all vehicles will stop for you. Some drivers may not yield naturally.
- What to do: Before crossing a road, always look left and right, and confirm that no cars are approaching or that the driver explicitly signals for you to go first! Safety first!
- If You're Driving or Cycling in Hangzhou:
- Be especially attentive to surrounding vehicles since unexpected lane changes without using turn signals might occur at any time.
- What to do: Stay alert, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles ahead and behind, anticipate other drivers’ behaviors and don’t rely on everyone strictly abiding by the rules.
- About Car Horns:
- You might hear quite a lot of car horns, sometimes they aren't directed at you but simply a habit of some drivers.
- What to do: Try to stay calm about it and let it not spoil your joyful travel experience!
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I've read everyone's comments, and many summaries are quite spot-on. However, the root cause really lies in management. For example, Taizhou is known for its aggressive drivers, but during a recent visit, I found they were very good at yielding to pedestrians. This just shows that strict enforcement and severe penalties work. Contrast that with Hangzhou: I reported a traffic violation recently, and the authorities basically just apologized to me and let the matter drop. The offender faced no consequences and even became more brazen. Honestly, I just don't understand it.
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It's definitely a management issue; Shanghai's order was also achieved through fines. To be honest, Hangzhou's current management level essentially means road order relies almost entirely on everyone's self-discipline. While the current situation isn't perfect, it already shows a decent level of public courtesy.
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In Zhejiang, turn signals seem to be an optional extra when driving.
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Apart from downtown Shanghai, I've found many other cities are pretty much the same.
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Things went back to how they really are once the rewards for reporting violations were removed.
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Not only are there no rewards, but they've also stopped taking action on reported violations.
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I hope they enforce the law with the same rigor as Shanghai. Around the East Railway Station, drivers are noticeably more disciplined because that area is under the jurisdiction of the Shanghai Railway Bureau.
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Cutting in gets you a 3-point deduction and a 200 RMB fine, and then, for some reason, you're apparently not even allowed to change lanes over a dashed line to enter certain areas.
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Also, I've noticed that hardly anyone uses the left-turn waiting areas. Last time, I was the only car in one. Doesn't that just completely hinder traffic efficiency?
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Yes, so many drivers do that. I can't figure out if they're afraid of running a red light or what their reason is.
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Firstly, there are too many ride-hailing vehicles. Secondly, enforcement has become lax. And I think the second reason is the more significant factor.
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It's all people from out of town.
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Oh, so are all the locals dead then?
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There's been a massive increase in 'green plate' (New Energy) vehicles, and most driving restrictions have been lifted. It's just getting more and more chaotic.
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There are many more 'green plate' (EV) cars now. A lot of them just shoot off from a standstill, driving recklessly as if it's a game, with zero regard for safety.
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Take Line 1, for example. When it first opened, everyone would let passengers off before boarding, except for some elderly folks. Now, for some reason, everyone just crams their way on. It's such a mystery, isn't it?
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It's not just Line 1; all subway lines are like this now. I don't understand why either. Even young people are completely inconsiderate about it.