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Olympic car restrictions in Beijing introduced

20/07/2008

Car restrictions have been introduced in Beijing ahead of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on August 8th.

Under the new regulations, cars will only be allowed on the roads on alternate days. The plan aims to reduce the smog that hangs over the country's capital and to ease congestion on the city's roads.

Compliance with the scheme is being guaranteed through the installation of thousands of detection devices which will insure that vehicles with even-numbered registration plates are only present on certain days whereas odd numbered cars will be allowed the next day.

Those caught breaching the rules will have to pay a fine of 100 yuan (£7.50).

International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge warned last year that some endurance events during the two-week long games may have to be postponed due to poor air quality.

Besides the car restrictions, the city has also updated its subway system and ordered factories to reduce work hours to reduce pollution.