What are the penalties for failing to yield to pedestrians?
3 Answers
For failing to yield to pedestrians at signal-controlled intersections, a fine will be imposed and 3 demerit points will be recorded. Typically, traffic police use mobile electronic monitoring devices. The violation record will be entered into the traffic illegal information management system within ten days, and the violation can be checked once it is entered into the system.
After driving for so many years, what I dislike the most are those drivers who compete with pedestrians at crosswalks. The current traffic laws clearly stipulate that failing to yield to pedestrians carries a minimum fine of 200 yuan and 3 penalty points, with some cities even imposing fines up to 500 yuan. If caught by electronic surveillance or traffic police on the spot, there's simply no avoiding the penalty. Last year, while traveling in Hangzhou, I witnessed a car that didn't yield to an elderly lady crossing the street being immediately stopped by an auxiliary police officer and issued a ticket. Honestly, slowing down 30 meters before a crosswalk barely takes any time. Competing for those two or three seconds not only costs hundreds of yuan in fines but also requires attending traffic school to clear the points—how is that worth it? Pedestrians are often nervous when crossing the street. If you yield to them, they'll nod in gratitude. That sense of satisfaction is far more rewarding than stepping on the accelerator.
Nowadays, zebra crossings in cities are equipped with intelligent monitoring systems, and drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians have a high chance of being caught. A fine of 200 yuan is the minimum penalty, along with 3 demerit points on the driver's license. I have a friend in Shenzhen who was fined twice, and their insurance premium increased this year. According to traffic regulations, when pedestrians are crossing at a green light or at a zebra crossing without traffic signals, motor vehicles must stop and yield. I pay extra attention to this when driving, instinctively tapping the brakes when approaching a zebra crossing. Some novice drivers tend to make mistakes, thinking they can speed through if pedestrians are still far away, but end up being penalized when pedestrians suddenly appear right in front of them. Many cities are also conducting special enforcement campaigns, with traffic police using body cameras to gather evidence during peak hours.
