Army orders road hogs to behave   (Xinhua)  Updated: 2006-09-03 16:09  
Military units in Beijing have been ordered to monitor their vehicles and 
strictly penalize drivers who violate traffic laws and other regulations. 
  The four general departments of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) -- 
the Headquarters of the General Staff, General Political Department, General 
Logistics Department and General Armament Department -- have jointly ordered a 
campaign to raise driving standards in the capital, according to the Beijing 
News on Sunday. 
  
 
 
 
   A police officer 
 checks the driver's licence after the military vechicle was found 
 violating traffic rules in a busy street in Beijing in this August 24, 
 2006 photo. [Xinhua] |    The campaign, to run 
till the end of the year, also targets leading organs of the Communist Party and 
the government, said the report. 
  These bodies are usually equipped with 
cars bearing military license plates, indicating the rank of their owners or 
passengers. 
  "Frequent violations of traffic laws and other regulations 
have tarnished the army's image among the people," according to an announcement 
made by the four PLA general departments. 
  In China, military cars are 
legally entitled to privileges, including exemption from road tolls, but they 
are often seen blatantly breaking road rules by speeding, dangerously changing 
lanes or running red lights. In some cases police have found illegal or fake 
military license plates are used by law breakers. 
  Police officers are 
usually reluctant to pull over drivers of military cars for fear of their 
military and political standings. 
  Beijing's military personnel as well 
as the Party and government should strengthen the management of vehicles and set 
a good example on the road, said the announcement.  The announcement failed 
to elaborate on the penalties military units or drivers of military vehicles 
might face. 
  It also asked for closer cooperation between military units 
and law enforcement departments to get bogus military cars off the road. 
  A number of military plates, which differ from ordinary vehicle plates 
in color and numbers, have been issued against regulations to the public, 
exempting them from road tolls and parking fees. 
  The announcement 
ordered a thorough check of all military vehicles and the revocation of 
illegally-granted plates and licenses. 
  The four departments initiated 
the campaign in response to public complaints. 
  "Troops stationed in 
Beijing have made progress toward standardization and modernization, but 
loopholes in management, idleness and demoralization among a few military units 
are eroding the army's reputation," said the announcement. 
  The campaign 
aimed to improve management of military vehicles and to educate officers and 
enlisted ranks on awareness of public interests and 
etiquette.  
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