Armed police officers and a bulletproof police car patrol an Olympic traffic lane in Beijing on Saturday, July 12, 2008.
Thirty-nine bulletproof police cars rolled onto roads in Beijing on Saturday as part of the city's enhanced security efforts for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games.
With armed police officers on board, the cars will be on duty around-the-clock patrolling Olympic traffic lanes, dealing with emergencies and handling possible terrorist attacks, according to a Xinhua News Agency report.
The Beijing Games organizers have taken comprehensive measures to protect the August and September events, including the deployment of air defense missiles around major venues and the setting up of checkpoints on the main roads leading to the capital.
The municipal traffic authority has designated the leftmost lanes on some of the city's main arteries as Olympic lanes with road-surface markers and roadside signs that show the five-ring logo as well as yellow sidelines.
The Olympic lanes will be reserved during certain hours for vehicles transporting Olympic and Paralymic officials, athletes and the media. Private passenger vehicles will be allowed to use the lanes at all other times.
