Police right to put a stop to car roof dolls

FOR SAFETY REASONS, it is reasonable to prohibit drivers from putting dolls on their car roofs, but the traffic police need more regulatory support to put a stop to this dangerous trend. Beijing News comments:

Some car owners like to place dolls, such as action figures like Superman or Spiderman, on the roofs of their cars, in order to attract attention and display their unique personalities.

But such behavior may be punished according to the law because it poses a potential traffic safety hazard. It may cause accidents if the dolls distract the attention of other drivers or other passers-by, or if a figure becomes detached from a vehicle.

As such behavior relates to public security and traffic safety, the Chengdu traffic police department recently decided to issue a fine of 200 yuan ($31.8) to drivers who place dolls on the roofs of their cars.

The administrative penalty the Chengdu traffic police department has introduced is in accordance with China's Road Traffic Safety Law, which forbids any organizations or individuals from arbitrarily changing the structure, construction or characteristics of a vehicle.

But the existing law fails to stipulate the detailed penalty for such violations except a fine of up to 500 yuan. But fines alone will not curb this traffic safety risk. That's why the Chengdu traffic police department made the decision to also deduct 2 points from a driver’s license for the offense, which will be more effective in curbing this practice.

The new penalty regulation issued by the Chengdu traffic police department now requires the support of a more detailed traffic regulation, in order to better safeguard public safety.