Minor bump between a car and a cyclist in China turns into a riot
The tale of this incident begins with a fantastic understatement: "Every so often, a traffic accident gets blown out of proportion in China." In America, we say things get "blown out of proportion" when a parking lot fender bender turns into a screaming match. In this case, "blown out of proportion" means something that would bring out tear gas and riot gear in the States.
What happened to the Buick you see above didn't happen in the car accident. The woman driving this Buick through Nankai University campus bumped into a bicyclist, leaving her car with a scratch. That was the accident. She got out and demanded an apology, and then demanded payment for damages. Other students began to gather, and because the woman's Buick didn't have a permit to allow her to drive on campus, their first question was where was she from and what was she doing on campus. Her response was "If I produce my identification document you should be scared to death."
The police came. The driver's mother and brother came. Campus security came. Teachers came. And more -- a lot more -- students came. After the driver's brother assaulted a student who tried to further scratch the Buick, that's when things got, as they say, "blown out of proportion." The amassed students had their way with the car, and a 10-inch scratch turned into something more like a salvage title writeoff. Click the link to get the full story. And if you make it over to Beijing for the Olympics, try not to upset the students.
Thanks for the tip, Kevin!
[Source: China Car Times]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
wormyguy 8:48AM (1/09/2008)
Doesn't surprise me, in China if someone gets hit by a car, it's the fault of the person who was hit, not the driver.
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bert 12:56PM (1/09/2008)
yeah haha. I think only a couple people reading autoblog realize this fact. In China it's the pedestrian's responsibility to avoid vehicles. Of course if a car hits someone they will end up paying heavy fines. Anyone who thinks this driver is an absolute jackass - you seriously need to go to Shanghai/beijing, observe the pedestrian/car traffic there, THEN come back to me.
Corey W. 8:52AM (1/09/2008)
HAHA It's called KARMA, that's what you get!! The students should have given the woman, her mother and brother... wedgies!!
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Guenther 8:57AM (1/09/2008)
This does not serve Global perception well- for anyone involved. It would appear that Security and Police there have absolutely no effective authority. I don't want to think about what would have happened if police were assaulted on a campus here in the US. the result certainly wouldn't be the police withdrawing.
I had to chuckle at the remark
"Then we broke all the windows on the car and nearly ripped the car doors out. It was quite a scene. But the car was solidly built as the front window never came off."
Still built like a Buick.
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compy386 9:02AM (1/09/2008)
I somehow think that if a few security guards and police officers were caught in a minor riot in the US, they would be fairly powerless too. What could they do? Can't shoot people. Unless you had riot gear, there's really no way to fight back.
Guenther 9:14AM (1/09/2008)
It comes back to a basic lack of respect- especially among an "educated" populace. Further, no one involved appears to have any faith in the polices ability (or perhaps willingness) to handle the problem. Incident happens -> call a cop -> write a ticket -> life goes on.
Sure we Riot and burn a few cars in East Lansing- but that because we won the NCAA Chamionship
I still like the way the Irish used to disperse rioters in the 80's- hose everyone down. Cold and wet people usually become rather dis-interested with some fender bender.
compy386 9:23AM (1/09/2008)
There was a riot in Lansing when they lost in the final four. And no action was ever taken against those students. You're making a lot of overarching claims based on one incident here.
Pete 9:23AM (1/09/2008)
No we don't riot in East Lansing. Perhaps when you were there, but this last time in 2005 we simply went about things like any other night and tear gas was shot EVERYWHERE!
It was a warm night too so I had my windows open in my apartment. One of the worst experiences in my life.
Guenther 10:28AM (1/09/2008)
IIRC, many students were arrested and prosecuted.
Takeo 11:36AM (1/09/2008)
I agree, if you pull the "I'm higher class than you" card in a country that follows an ideology of "For the workers" you can expect to get smacked down.
I hope this spoiled little girl learned her fracking lesson.
Ben H. 8:58AM (1/09/2008)
That will buff right out!! =]
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Arch111905 2:50PM (1/09/2008)
There it is lol.
Jim 8:58AM (1/09/2008)
Someone please explain to me how this country has been allowed to host the 2008 Summer Olympics.
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steveo391 12:33PM (1/09/2008)
I was wondering the same thing... oh well everything else is being ruined by the "people" in that country might as well let them have their way with the olympics too.
tankd0g 4:10PM (1/09/2008)
Ample parking.
calebe 9:03AM (1/09/2008)
two words. Kent State.
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Dan Parmelee 9:07AM (1/09/2008)
ROFLMAO, I can't believe that law enforcement is that lousy there. Cops here...well, we all know that things would have been over very quickly.
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Owain Ozymandias Buck 9:16AM (1/09/2008)
Sounds like a reasonable response to the shadowy threat of a secret powerful class. They had one revolution--sounds like they're going to take care of the new "royalty". No problem here, just try not to hurt innocent bystanders.
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Leroy 9:25AM (1/09/2008)
Wong way to dive...
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Speddy 9:48AM (1/09/2008)
Now, if she were driving a Type 59...
(see Tiananmen Square for model)
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