The municipal government is considering building temporary free parking lots around parks, including Lotus Hill Park in Futian and Binhai Park in Nanshan District, Xu Dongping, director general of the municipal traffic police bureau, said Tuesday.

He was speaking on a phone-in radio program.

Lotus Hill and Binhai parks had become popular places of relaxation during holidays, and parking had become an increasing problem for people with cars. Since there are not enough parking lots near the two parks, many residents risk being fined by parking along the highways. Long lines of cars along Hongli Road in front of the Lotus Hill Park gate and Binhai Thoroughfare flanking the Binhai Park have become a common sight, sometimes causing traffic jams on weekends and holidays.

The one-hour radio program also received calls from residents complaining about trucks not carrying registration plates, or using copied or false plate numbers.

A resident living near Yanhe Road in Luohu District called to complain of the absence of police along Yanhe Road in early mornings, which allegedly led to rampant traffic violations by trucks using copied or false plate numbers, or without plates.

"I will ask the checkpoint brigade to increase the police force there," Xu said.

Another resident complained that many trucks sounded horns when passing the Shekou Port Area, disturbing pedestrians and nearby residents.

"As a road near the port is being repaired, many passing trucks and container trucks become trapped in traffic jams. However, the congestion is temporary," Xu said.

A man surnamed Huang complained that the police didn't come until 80 minutes after he called 122 to report his car accident in Bao'an.

Xu explained that a new police management system, which was implemented in Bao'an and Longgang districts Jan. 1, would require police to arrive at accident scenes in no less than 40 minutes. "Police involved in such reports will be thoroughly investigated if they don't arrive in time," Xu said.

With and increase of 135,000 vehicles and 107,000 drivers last year, the total number of vehicles in the city is now 676,000 with 681,000 drivers.

According to the latest official figures, the population of the city is now 11.5 million but there are only about 1,800 authorized traffic police posts, which means there is a ratio of 1.56 police to 10,000 residents. More than 6,000 police are still needed to measure up to international standards.

Editor: Catherine