On May 17, a netizen posted a video claiming that traffic police in Guiyang, Guizhou, China, let a foreigner go after he violated motorcycle helmet regulations. The netizen expressed anger upon witnessing this, insisting that traffic rules should be enforced equally for everyone, including foreigners.
In the video, a group of traffic police officers can be seen stopping motorcyclists on the roadside to check helmet usage. Two women on motorcycles stop to put on their helmets, while another motorcycle, carrying two people, rides away without any issue. The riders even cheerfully greeted the police. Upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that the rider is a foreign man with a female passenger.
The person filming explained, “The police couldn’t understand what he was saying, and he couldn’t understand the police either. So, the police just let him go.” According to the filmer, the pair did have helmets, but possibly due to damage or other reasons, they weren’t wearing them. To appease the police, the female passenger put the hood of a hoodie over the man’s head, and they left casually.
The filmer argued, “Such situations should be handled equally. Even if no fine is issued, at least some verbal education should be given.”
The video spread online and was reported by Shenzhen Satellite TV’s “First Scene” program. Some netizens suggested that the police should be penalized for not enforcing the law uniformly.
“Do these people really not understand why helmets are necessary? The police stop you to ensure you don’t get killed in an accident. Whether the foreigner cares about his life or not, it’s their duty to enforce the rules.”
“There should be a formal reprimand for the on-duty officers!”
“Maybe it’s just the communication barrier… they didn’t want to deal with it.”
“Fine everyone equally.”
“They just wanted to avoid trouble, didn’t expect to be caught on video.”
“Hangzhou traffic police do the same, ignoring international students in Liuhe Road College Park, only checking Chinese locals.”
“This behavior lowers our self-esteem in front of foreigners and strips us of dignity.”