Wedding couples might escape the carfree day restrictions - although the authorities are still working out details.

World Car-free Day on Saturday September 22 wil see private cars banned from sections of Nanjing Road, Huaihai Road and the central part of the Lujiazui area in Pudong from 7 AM to 7 PM. The day has been planned to ease traffic congestion, save energy and help the environment.

But for couples who are enjoying the happiest day of their lives, going without a car might be a little harsh. So thinks Huang Xiaoyong, an officer with the Shanghai Urban Transport Management Bureau.

"Special vehicles like wedding cars should be allowed on these roads that day. We are working with local traffic police departments to arrange specific measures," he said.

His words were echoed by Sun Guofu, official of the Shanghai General Team of Traffic Police.

"Because it is a special occasion, wedding couples should be allowed to travel on that day. How could any policeman stop a wedding car and order the bride to walk to the restaurant?" he said.

But a large wedding motorcade might be a different case. "A single car would be all right but if there are more than five cars in the wedding party it would look as if they were flouting the regulations."

Sun said his department was studying the question and would soon notify the public about the regulations for wedding cars.

Some wedding companies have already started to work around car-free day. The Shanghai Yunpingxuan Wedding Service Company has altered wedding plans for at least one couple on the day.

(Shanghai Daily August 31, 2007)