Fighting Traffic
Thread started by
_iJunes at 07.13.09 - 9:49 am
http://chinanewswrap.com/2009/07/13/elderly-man-in-lanzhou-uses-brick-to-vandalize-30-cars-that-drive-through-red-light/
Elderly man in Lanzhou vandalizes 30 cars that run through red lights
The Xinhua News Agency has a headline news story about Yan Zheng-ping, a 74-year old retired literature teacher from Qilihe district in Lanzhou, who personally âdeclared warâ against unsafe drivers who drive through red lights, and has vandalized 30 cars using a brick.
According to the news story, , originally published by the âBeijing Timesâ (â新景报â) although Yan Zheng-ping admits that his actions are illegal, he has no regrets about what he has done.
âWithin a two hour period on the evening of 9 July, Lanzhou septagenarian Yan Zheng-ping used a brick to vandalize 14 vehicles that drove through the red lights on a pedestrian crossing close to his residence, attracting widespread public attention and discussion.â
âSome people have praised his conduct, believing that drivers who cross red lights are playing games with peopleâs lives and should be taught a lesson. Other people oppose his excessive conduct, believing that smashing cars is illegal behaviour, and should not be encouraged.â
âYesterday, the author of the news story interviewed Yan Zheng-ping by phone about the car-smashing incidents.â
âAccording to the âLanzhou Morning Postâ, yesterday, a team of traffic police in Lanzhouâs Qilihe district expanded supervision of cars that do not allow pedestrians to walk across zebra crossings in the area. Almost no vehicles drove through red lights on zebra crossings.â
âOn the evening of 9 July, after using a brick to smash 14 vehicles that passed through red lights at the gate to his compound, the 74 year-old and his brick-wielding hand became a widespread topic of discussion.â
âHe is a resident of the Jingangcheng compound in Lanzhouâs Qilihe district, who has had âexperiences on multiple occasions where Iâve almost been killed by a car while on a zebra crossingâ, which gave him the idea of attacking vehicles, and using these extreme measures to express his dissatisfaction with the disregard of drivers for the lives of pedestrians.â
âYan Zheng-ping admits that smashing cars is illegal behaviour, but he makes the counter-question âare there any other methods available to me?ââ
âThis retired literature teacher is usually scholarly and refined in his bearing, and is fond of literature and photography. His smashing of cars on that evening has led people to refer to him as either an âelderly heroâ, or someone who âblindly causes disturbance.ââ
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now imagine the reactions if someone decided to wait at an intersection and throw a broomstick in the front wheel of every passing cyclist that blows a red. or less aggressively a tack strip (only damaging the tires not the rider) i'm pretty sure we wouldn't call that person a hero.
i know, i know, we'll only damage ourselves running reds whereas a car will kill people, but i just like to play devil's advocate. entertain me forum!
cassidy07.13.09 - 10:58 am
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