Air-quality worsens as Editor speeds out of the city -- coincidence?

We had some of the clearest and crispest days we've known for a couple of years this winter, but today we were back to Smogville, PRC, as high humidity levels from the sea, quite possibly mixed with some friendly sulphur and other noxious gases (although this should hopefully decrease in years to come according to this article about "sulfur" -- damned silly American English -- and with eco-firms targeting China) caused low-visibility.

This weekend, as Shanghaiist's editor is driving to and from Moganshan with his new license in hand, we are sure he'll notice that the roads are much less busy. We mentioned the new emissions standards tests a while back, and as a driver in Shanghai, we can say that it has made a big difference to road traffic on the elevated roads and the roads in general (bar the obvious places at rush hour). A lot of drivers are using alternative transportation as their cars didn't pass the tests, and drive-times are now less than usual.

So, if any, now may be the best time to enact any plans you have of running down the elevated road naked screaming "HIT ME! ... HIT ME! ... TAKE AWAY THE PAIN!". Ahem.

Photo from Miguel Pereira

Also on Shanghaiist:
Bad news for Bohai

Related:
Western critics cite China's environmental record as an excuse for attacking economic growth (Spiked Online)
Sector-savvy article on Clean Energy (Renewable Energy Access)