Beijing, Aug 6 (IANS): Violators of traffic rules and regulations in China's Shenzhen city will be required to wear green hats as punishment, a media report said.

According to the rule, anyone who is caught jumping a red light, has to direct traffic at the city's intersections while wearing a green hat along with a green vest, the China Daily reported on Thursday.

The idea for the new punishment came as the number of traffic violators soared to 127,000 in the first half of the year, official data showed.

The violators are between 18-30 years of age.

Most violators cooperated with police when caught but said they would have preferred a fine.

"Wearing a green hat is an insult for men, even though it is a punishment for people who break the traffic rules," a male resident said.

In China, a man wearing a green hat is seen as a cuckold.

However, police said that the green hat is just to keep off the sun and is meant to match the green vest worn while directing traffic.