Driver Crashes into Construction Zone on Jinggang'ao Expressway While Using Phone; Fined ¥1,200 and Jailed for 7 Days for Driving Without License

On August 19, the Traffic Management Bureau of China's Ministry of Public Security reported a traffic accident: On July 10, Zhang was driving on the Beijing–Hong Kong–Macau Expressway in the Chibi section of Hubei Province. After activating his vehicle’s intelligent driving assistance system, he played mobile games for an extended period without monitoring road conditions, causing his car to crash into a construction zone. Investigations revealed that Zhang’s driver’s license had already been revoked due to failure to renew it on time, making him an unlicensed driver. At the time of the incident, he was sitting with his legs crossed, looking down at his phone, while his wife in the front passenger seat was also using her phone—neither paid attention to the road ahead. Traffic police reviewed surveillance footage showing that Zhang had been continuously playing games for one to two hours. Zhang was held fully responsible for the accident and fined 1,200 yuan, in addition to receiving a seven-day administrative detention for distracted driving and driving without a valid license.