New rules on traffic fines outside Shanghai

Shanghai drivers who are caught breaking traffic rules in other cities will pay their fines in Shanghai from the end of June thanks to revised rules announced by the Ministry of Public Security on Tuesday.

Currently, they must pay fines where the offenses took place or where their vehicles are registered.

The new rule will be trialed in Hunan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from May 1 before being introduced nationwide. 

In addition, offenders caught on camera will receive notices from the police within five days of the offenses from next month instead of 10 days present.

Police officers who find a motorist with unpaid fines are now authorized to issue a legal notice on the spot.

Rent a car, pay the fine

Car rental companies usually have to foot the bill for customers who break traffic rules, but the new rules are expected to significantly solve that problem.

According to the new rules, traffic offenses of drivers of rented cars will be recorded under the drivers’ names instead of the companies or vehicle owners if police can identify the offenders behind the wheel.

The ministry said this measure could help car rental firms save hundreds of millions of yuan.