Visual & audio pollution on the out in Shanghai taxis

Definitely welcome news to our ears, eyes and headspaces - the televisions streaming constant looping advertisements in the back of Shanghai's taxis are thankfully on the out.

Was there ever any question that the inescapable video ads in Shanghai's taxis were of utmost annoyance? With each journey as the meter started, so did the irritating commercials. In a city that constantly bombards its inhabitants with multiple stimuli, what was possibly once an advertising marvel, has now been added to the long list of advertising nuisances.

Well it seems that all our complaints have been heard.

With World Expo 2010 just over a year away, the government is working through its list of things to change and upgrade for the impending arrival of an expected 70 million visitors.

As of this month, the touch screens will be phased out following new government regulations that aim to address visual and audio pollution across Shanghai.

Taxis will now have restrictions on what advertising can be displayed inside the cabs, with respective penalties if they fail to comply. By the end of the year, touch screens still under contract will have controls to enable passengers to turn off the video and the screens will be secured to ensure the safety of commuters.

The decision to include backseat mindclutter as a part of the World Expo renovations will be a delightful change for frequent users of Shanghai's taxis service.

Assuming, of course, that the distraction is not desired. As passengers in this city, sometimes its nice to keep our eyes within the taxi or dead ahead, refraining from looking left or right for fear of a near death experience or worse. The mindless repetitive chirping might be a missed distraction for those less comfortable addressing their immediate mortality.

Also on Shanghaiist:Shanghai may regulate annoying taxi ads over visual, audio pollution