China's Drivers Stick It To The Police

by Bertel Schmitt

Published: April 1st, 2012

In the alleged police state China, speeders are not hunted down by testosterone-driven cops. Hey get fined through the mail. A system the Chinese have copied from Europe. Some Chinese have taken to using a little camouflage.

Some drivers use toothpaste. This lady used a sanitary napkin on her Mini. It did not take long for this trend to be commercialized in utterly capitalist China. Carnewschina reports the emergence of license-plate-number stickers that subtly and surreptitiously alter the original.

The stickers can be bought at car markets for as little as 5 yuan (80 cents U.S.) each. The standard traffic-fine in China is a modest 200 yuan ($32). The penalty for using the stickers however can be more painful: Up to 15 days in (an, ouch, Chinese) jail, 1800 yuan fine, and the driver’s driving license will be revoked.

#BertelSchmitt #Carnewschina #China

Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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4 of 13 comments

LALoser on Apr 01, 2012

....*alleged*.....*utterly capitalist*....

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The Comedian on Apr 02, 2012

I like that the "F" and the 8 are upside down in the packaging. I wonder if is an uncontrolled process or some Engrish that flipped them?

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- Redsweater on Apr 02, 2012
  
  So are the 6 and the 9. Also, can anyone on this blog tell me why my new car has a 710 spout?
  
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- Davemh10 on Apr 02, 2012
  
  @redsweater Also, can anyone on this blog tell me why my new car has a 710 spout? That is obviously where you put the 710 fluid. (oil) I actually had a customer who lost her "710" cap and came in and asked for one by name.
  
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