Popular Twitch streamer Jake’n’Bake recently shared a fascinating discovery during his live stream in Shanghai, China. In a video clip posted on TikTok by @livefailsshorts, Jake’n’Bake noticed an intriguing setup at pedestrian crossings that aims to remind pedestrians to adhere to traffic laws.
Instead of relying solely on traditional traffic cameras, the Chinese authorities have incorporated live-cameras into devices at pedestrian crossings.
These cameras serve the purpose of capturing images of individuals who jaywalk, particularly when the traffic signal is red.
Subsequently, the offenders’ faces are displayed on a large screen accompanied by a caption in Chinese, labeling them as “persons suspected of violating the law.”
The Gaoxin Public Security Bureau, through their official Weibo account, revealed that this initiative aims to gather evidence and take action against jaywalkers.
By installing cameras on traffic lights, videos of jaywalkers in the act are recorded. The smart system then captures images of the offenders at three different instances during the violation, providing concrete evidence of the traffic law violation.
The captured images are cross-referenced with a biometrics database to identify the individuals involved. The system not only highlights their faces on a larger screen but also warns them against jaywalking using an audio system.
The implementation of this surveillance system has generated mixed reactions among TikTok users. While some users have expressed approval, viewing it as an effective measure to combat jaywalking, others have criticized it for being overly intrusive.
Comparisons have been drawn to dystopian novels and films such as ‘1984,’ ‘Black Mirror,’ and ‘The Orville,’ with users condemning the perceived control exerted by such surveillance practices.
Interestingly, some users have taken a more lighthearted approach, joking about posing for the cameras or intentionally prolonging their crossing to gain a few moments of fame.
Contrary to popular belief, this system has been in use in China since 2017, as reported by the Daily Mail. It was subsequently expanded to other regions of the country in late 2019. In certain cities, the practice of “public shaming” takes place on an even larger scale.
Xiangyang city, for example, gained significant attention in 2019 when offenders’ surnames and identification numbers were publicly displayed on billboards along with their facial images.
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