Editor,

I read your article "Drivers need a lesson on road ethics" (November 16) and I would like to add my opinion.

I have been a resident in China for more than 10 years. I often drive from Beijing to Qingdao and back, and I can testify about the behaviour of the truck drivers in the cities, on the roads and on the highways.

It is true that truck drivers have no concern for the rest of the drivers and generally they do not take into consideration the traffic regulations. The main complaints I have, regarding the situation on the highways, are as follows:

Trucks commonly drive on the overtaking lane and change lane without signalling and without any respect for cars behind; racing is commonplace between trucks. In service areas, trucks are parked everywhere without respect for other cars, many times it is not possible to enter into the service area. Can you imagine if a car driver is out of fuel? During the night, many trucks use dazzling high-beam lights. Several times, I have found trucks driving on the emergency lane the wrong way, coming in my direction.

In my opinion, as you say, some truck drivers have no idea about road ethics, mainly because of lack of education. I have also never seen a police patrol stop a truck.

Another problem is that many times I have overtaken trucks loaded so heavily with goods that they are twice as wide as normal. This means that the driver cannot use the rear mirrors and know if a car is trying to overtake him. However, these trucks enter the highways through the toll gates, so why does nobody try to stop them?

Giorgio Vettor, Beijing

Editor,

In my opinion, it is not only truck drivers who lack ethics. While they are indeed big bullies with their huge trucks and reckless driving, I personally think many Chinese need to learn road ethics and manners.

As China is set to become the No 3 auto country in the world, the manners that Chinese drivers have are pathetic. They do not follow rules, are forever impatient, and always act as if they are the only car on the road. Just observe any street in Shanghai, and you will see what I am talking about. Then go somewhere in Europe or closer to home, such as Singapore, you will see the vast differences.

I just hope that as more cars are being put on the road, Chinese reflect on their road manners. Otherwise, being an economic power and the No 3 auto country is useless, as we will be a laughing stock!

Yang, Shanghai

(China Daily 11/24/2005 page4)