Parking worker in critical state after latest attack by angry driver

A parking attendant is fighting for his life after being run down by a driver trying to escape a 105-yuan fee.

Liu Jiandong suffered an intracranial hemorrhage after being thrown 10 meters by a motorist who stepped on the gas in Jinbao Street, Dongcheng district.

Police told METRO that investigations into the incident on Monday night are ongoing, although the hit-and-run driver is still at large.

Attacks on parking attendants have soared since Beijing authorities hiked prices on April 1. Gonglian Shunda Parking Management said it has received 30 complaints of violence on staff in the past two weeks, with the number already surpassing the total for 2010, Beijing Times reported.

So far, one third of the company's fee collectors have quit, with numbers in central Dongcheng reportedly falling from 72 to just 48.

Gonglian Shunda executives have been quoted in the media offering to pay the medical bills of workers hurt on the job, yet they complained there is little else they or any other parking firm can do.

"To be honest, if drivers really refuse to pay, fee collectors can't do anything. They can't quarrel or fight with them," said Shang, a manager at Beijing Zhong'an Jiayi Parking Management who did not want his full name used.

He added that his company has witnessed a decrease in customers since early April.

Du, a 37-year-old parking attendant in Huixindongjie, Chaoyang district, said she has got used to drivers trying to avoid paying since prices in her area rose from 2 to 6 yuan an hour. In the space of just 15 minutes on Wednesday, METRO reporters saw at least five cars driven away without paying.

To prevent conflicts, companies are training employees on how to react to errant customers.

"We require our staff to clearly explain the policy in a calm and polite tone to drivers who don't know about the fees hike," said Shang. "If necessary, they are to show drivers the official documents."

Legal experts, however, say follow-up measures are vitally important to stop the violent attacks.

"The beaten workers should immediately call the police," advised Li Hua, a senior counselor at Gide Law Firm. "If the injury is serious, the attacks is criminally responsible and should pay compensation."

When asked about the root of the problem, she said: "The hike in parking fees is too much for the public. Plus, the rate differs at various locations and venues. Most of the disputes occur because the car owners are thrown into shock when they were told the amount of fees they are to pay.

"The authority should give out clearly worded parking fee standards so as to keep the drivers informed," Li added.

Wang Qian and Li Jiabao contributed to this story.