BEIJING (January 3, 2013)--In China, yellow is the new red and motorists aren’t happy about it.

Authorities in China set up new rules that make running a yellow light the same as running a red one, and drivers who are used to seeing yellow as a warning light are confused.

Even the official Chinese news agency has criticized the new rules.

One commentary says the new rules are "contrary to Newton's first law" about momentum, but officials say the new laws are necessary to reduce the number of road wrecks in China, which stem in part from bad driving habits and poorly maintained vehicles.

One critic denounced those behind the new yellow light rules as "stupid and evil."