The new traffic law that was to take effect in Shenzhen from Saturday has been postponed inside the Special Economic Zone.

The new national law, which sparked wide public attention, will now take effect only in Longgang and Bao'an districts beginning Saturday.

Traffic administration authorities said the postponement was because some of the new law' clauses contradicted former traffic rules, Thursday's Daily Sunshine reported.

The State Council had yet to promulgate rules on implementing the new law, therefore it needed a transition period for the new law to become fully enforceable, said Cao Pusheng, a top official of the city's traffic police bureau.

The old rules took effect inside the SEZ in March 1997.

Local lawmakers may change or abolish the old rules, the newspaper said.

The new law has aroused public attention as it features some regulations that protect pedestrians.

Vehicles must yield to pedestrians on pedestrian crossings whether there are traffic lights or not, the new law says. Hit-and-run drivers will also face tougher penalties.

Editor: Catherine