| While the situation and accident are tragic, it brings to mind some of the major problems facing China at this point in time. While I don't want to minimise the impact that this young mans death will have on those close to him there is an oversight that should be thought about that there is a warning device in place that many people disregard. Its apparent from the consequences of this mans actions, that the double door design and implementation has limitations and needs further improvement in terms of occupational health and safety, however that being said there is one very audible and visual warning safety device and that is the buzzer which sounds for a good 5+ seconds before the doors close. Yet many (not all) people have total disregard for these safety devices. Even worse is there is often a total absence of any enforcement of rules. People in Chinese society seem to take whatever shortcuts they think they can get away with, and often there are few to no consequences to such behaviours. The problems that are taxing Chinas development, are societies lack of respect for the law with numerous instances of flouting of the law & regulations and therefore many tricks and shortcuts are taken at the expense of others. The way people drive, ride and use the roads, highways and footpaths is a prime example. The current observable increase in food scandals are examplkes which further supports the low morals and ethics of an increasing number of people here. IMO many actions and my many years in China have given me an understanding that Chinese people are very single minded and self centered bordering on being selfish. There is certainly truth in the Chinese idiom "he who gets his first pot of gold is the winner" Further issue is the low education level of the majority of people in China, especially in the rural areas and the mass exodus of these people to the cities seeking employment etc, and the resultant crisis the face when have to assimilate. Remember If the traffic light is red, then stop. It doesn't mean go if you want to... If your way is not clear it doesn't give you the right to mount the footpath or any other lane of your choosing without care and regard to other users... If there is a line waiting at a counter, it doesn't mean you should ignore others and walk straight to the front of the queue to be served... If the buzzer is warning you of an impending event, then take heed of it... have some respect for those around you, you are not the only living creature on the planet... If you're a pedistrian or a user of a footpath, roadway or even pedistrian thoroughfare, take heed and of all around you, anything can happen... |
Accident in Shanghai Metro