China is Using Facial Recognition Software to Shame Jaywalkers
Local Editor
Jaywalkers in China risk be identified by facial recognition technology in which their photos and personal information would be exposed to public to shame them for breaking the law.
Traffic management authorities in several Chinese cities installed facial recognition equipment and screens at major intersections to tackle the ongoing problem of jaywalking and encourage road safety.
Since the equipment was installed in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, in early May, it has captured photographic proof of more than 6,000 cases involving pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles crossing roads during red lights.
The facial recognition equipment takes several snapshots and a 15-second video when it detects pedestrians crossing the intersection on a red light. The photographs appear on the screen immediately so the offender can see they have been caught.
The photographs are then compared with the images in the provincial police department database and matches are checked by a police officer to confirm accuracy.
Within 20 minutes, the offender's photograph and personal information such as their ID number and home address are displayed on the screen at the crossroad.
Traffic police then contact the offenders and give them a choice of three forms of punishment: a fine of 20 yuan [around 3 US dollars], a half-hour traffic rule course, or 20 minutes assisting police in controlling traffic.
Offenders' information may also be published on social media, for example on the Jinan Traffic Police Weibo microblogging account. In the future, police may also inform the offenders' employers or residential communities of the violation.
"Since the new technology has been adopted, the cases of jaywalking have been reduced from 200 to 20 each day at the major intersection of Jingshi and Shungeng roads. Fewer people are crossing roads during red lights," said Li Yong with Jinan Traffic Police.
The city will install facial recognition equipment at 50 major intersections by the end of June. Each piece of equipment costs around 100,000 yuan.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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