Police here have announced that on-the-spot "red tickets" will be issued to drunken cyclists and those riding bicycles with no brakes starting from December, in an attempt to put an end to dangerous bicycle riding.
The so-called red tickets are usually issued to bicycle riders who have purposely disobeyed traffic regulations on several occasions. This is the first time in the country, however, that tickets will be issued on the spot for a single traffic violation. Police issue red tickets to cyclists for violating traffic rules as a legal step toward criminal procedures. Prosecutors then have to decide whether to move ahead with summary indictments.
According to the Kyoto Prefectural Police, the crackdown will also be enforced for five additional types of violations, including riders ignoring red lights; failing to stop at specified places; crossing at non-designated areas; riding tandem on a single bike, and riding without lights at night.
The new regulations will target violators aged over 15, excluding junior high students. Violators will first be warned and if they fail to oblige, they will receive a red ticket, which could lead to a fine, police say.
As of the end of October, Kyoto police had issued only three tickets to cyclists violating traffic regulations this year, but none of the recipients had been criminally charged.
"We hope that the new regulations will help increase safety consciousness among bicycle riders," said an official from the police force's Transportation Department.
Racing bicycles with no brakes, known as "piste" bikes, have become increasingly popular among young Japanese recently despite being illegal according to the Japanese Road Traffic Law. Earlier this year, the National Police Agency ordered each prefectural police department in the country to enforce a crackdown on "malignant" cyclists, including those riding "piste" bikes.
"This is the beginning of the end of Hays Paddock as a wonderful, magical semi-rural spot for the people of Boroondara to enjoy," Mrs Drost said.
Protectors of Public Lands Victoria secretary Julianne Bell labelled it "planning on the run" after council officers made changes to the plan during the meeting.
"I have never attended a council meeting where council staff actually deleted parts of a master plan for a park which had been advertised and to which residents had made representations and submissions," Ms Bell said.
Boroondara councillor Brad Miles agreed, saying it was unusual.
Cr Miles said a number of elements from the draft plan had not been updated for the final plan, which had resulted in officers making the changes on the night.
"There were quite a few little points but no major changes," he said. "I hope the pavilion will be a facility for everyone."
2011年9月25日星期日
Afghanistan Warns Pakistan Over Flare-Ups at Border
Afghan defense officials warned Pakistan on Sunday to stop firing rockets and heavy artillery into the northeast of the country or the military will respond with force. Pakistan denied it was responsible.
In its strongest condemnation to date, the Afghan Defense Ministry accused the Pakistani army of firing more than 300 artillery rounds and rockets into Kunar and Nuristan provinces during the past five days.
The area is a haven for hardcore insurgent groups fighting in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. U.S.-led coalition forces have a light footprint in the area and the cross-border fighting highlights NATO's struggles to pacify the remote region. It also underscores the lack of cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan against their common foes.
The ministry said an unknown number of Afghan civilians have been killed by the shelling coming from Pakistani territory. Several houses and mosques have been destroyed and hundreds of people have been displaced from their homes, the ministry said.
"Once again, the Pakistani army started firing heavy artillery and rockets over innocent Afghan people from the other side of the Durand Line," the statement said, referring to the disputed 19th century demarcation between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Pakistan army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said he had asked security officials in the area of the reported shelling about the allegations and was waiting for a reply. He said those officials were surprised by the accusations since no activity had been reported in the area.
"I assume this is not correct news," said Abbas, in reference to the Afghan reports.
Pakistan complained earlier this summer that militants coming from Afghanistan killed at least 55 members of its security forces and tribal police and demanded that U.S. and Afghan forces do more to stem the flow of fighters.
Afghan defense officials said that according to their forces on the ground, more than 100 rockets or mortars rained down on the two provinces Saturday night.
"It's a clear attack on civilian residential areas," the ministry statement said.
"The Afghan Defense Ministry is strongly condemning the attack and is giving strong warnings that such violations (of sovereignty) will have their effect on the brotherly, friendly relations of two neighboring countries," the statement said. "There is no reason for continuing such attacks. The Pakistan government should know that Afghan National Army, with the support of the Afghan people, is ready to respond if such attacks continues."
The top U.S. military officer, Adm. Mike Mullen, last week accused Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency of supporting insurgents in planning and executing a 22-hour assault on the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan on Sept. 13 as well as a truck bomb days earlier that wounded 77 American troops.
The insurgents, from the Haqqani network, are affiliated with the Taliban and Al Qaeda. The group primarily operates in eastern Afghanistan and is often blamed for attacks in Kabul.
In its strongest condemnation to date, the Afghan Defense Ministry accused the Pakistani army of firing more than 300 artillery rounds and rockets into Kunar and Nuristan provinces during the past five days.
The area is a haven for hardcore insurgent groups fighting in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. U.S.-led coalition forces have a light footprint in the area and the cross-border fighting highlights NATO's struggles to pacify the remote region. It also underscores the lack of cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan against their common foes.
The ministry said an unknown number of Afghan civilians have been killed by the shelling coming from Pakistani territory. Several houses and mosques have been destroyed and hundreds of people have been displaced from their homes, the ministry said.
"Once again, the Pakistani army started firing heavy artillery and rockets over innocent Afghan people from the other side of the Durand Line," the statement said, referring to the disputed 19th century demarcation between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Pakistan army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said he had asked security officials in the area of the reported shelling about the allegations and was waiting for a reply. He said those officials were surprised by the accusations since no activity had been reported in the area.
"I assume this is not correct news," said Abbas, in reference to the Afghan reports.
Pakistan complained earlier this summer that militants coming from Afghanistan killed at least 55 members of its security forces and tribal police and demanded that U.S. and Afghan forces do more to stem the flow of fighters.
Afghan defense officials said that according to their forces on the ground, more than 100 rockets or mortars rained down on the two provinces Saturday night.
"It's a clear attack on civilian residential areas," the ministry statement said.
"The Afghan Defense Ministry is strongly condemning the attack and is giving strong warnings that such violations (of sovereignty) will have their effect on the brotherly, friendly relations of two neighboring countries," the statement said. "There is no reason for continuing such attacks. The Pakistan government should know that Afghan National Army, with the support of the Afghan people, is ready to respond if such attacks continues."
The top U.S. military officer, Adm. Mike Mullen, last week accused Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency of supporting insurgents in planning and executing a 22-hour assault on the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan on Sept. 13 as well as a truck bomb days earlier that wounded 77 American troops.
The insurgents, from the Haqqani network, are affiliated with the Taliban and Al Qaeda. The group primarily operates in eastern Afghanistan and is often blamed for attacks in Kabul.
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