Saturday, June 19, 2010

Water Slows Down Chinese Bus Drivers

The Longxiang Bus Company in Changsha, Hunan province has launched a new and very clever safe driving campaign. A balancing act in its own special way, the company driver now has a new passenger; a large bowl of water placed next to him. The goal is to not spill any, which can only occur with careful, purposeful driving.

water bowl quirky china news  Water Slows Down Chinese Bus Drivers  picture

The campaign comes in the wake of many passenger complaints that sudden stops and bad driving are making them very uncomfortable about riding on the city busses.

“Hanging bowls of water in the driver’s cab will discourage them from making any jolting starts, sudden braking or bad turns,” says a spokesman for the bus company.

To insure that no cheating occurs, CCTV footage will capture any attempts to replenish the “cup that runneth over.”

This innovative campaign reflects the sincere desire to address a potentially dangerous situation. While it may seem a bit far out (and in a way it is) it is at least so far, totally effective.

Who’s to say that such an idea would not work in other metropolitan areas? Certainly dangerous driving is a universal problem.

Check out this video for a very sobering look at just how badly things have gotten out of hand along Chinese highways. No bowl of water (not to mention drivers and passengers) would have survived the crazy driving and collisions pictured below.

Does this mean that rainwear might replace uniforms for both drivers and passengers in the near future?

Or will we be in real trouble and require scuba gear?

Only time will tell.

What do YOU think about this?

http://www.weirdasianews.com/2010/06/17/water-slows-chinese-bus-drivers/

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