A professor at a prestigious university in Shanghai was killed recently as he made a sudden left turn on his bike across the road -- right into a passing car.

Similar traffic accidents claimed the lives of 253 people in Shanghai last year, about five victims a week on average, said a source from the city's traffic police.

In a fast-moving urban society, some people, particularly migrating workers from the countryside, refused to take the trouble of walking the extra distance to a zebra crossing, underground passageway or overhead bridge when they cross a street, he said.

To better regulate the behavior of pedestrians and cyclists, Shanghai ruled in April 2000 that the victim would be the only one to blame for an accident caused by his own violation of traffic regulations.

Barely a month later, an old lady was killed when she took the risk of walking to the other side of a busy street. A Shanghai court ruled later that no compensation was to be paid to her family as she was full responsible for her own death.

"This seemingly inhumane rule was quite contrary to the traditional way of thinking that the victim should be compensated for all his suffering," said Huang Wuquan, a Shanghai-based professor of law, "but it did remind some citizens of traffic rules."

The municipal government has also stepped up publicity on traffic rules and imposed heavy penalties on the offenders.

Since the start of this year, Shanghai has set up bulletin boards in public areas to promote traffic regulations and raise awareness of road safety.

In the near future, the city will open 1,000 film studios where citizens can learn how to walk down Shanghai's streets in a safer way.

Shanghai's schools have also stepped up promotion of traffic safety among the students, and primary school children are all required to wear a protective bright yellow cap on their way to and from school -- a clear warning sign to drivers.

(Xinhua News Agency July 1, 2002)