Harsh road rules bring down violations, deaths

A revised traffic regulation which features harsher penalties and stricter driving license exams has effectively brought down traffic violations and deaths in accidents, new data showed on Monday.

In 2013, the number of recorded cases of people driving at speeds of 50 percent or more above the limit saw a drop of 58.4 percent on a year-on-year basis, according to a statement released by the traffic management bureau of the Ministry of Public Security.

It follows the new regulation on driving licenses taking effect on Jan. 1, 2013,

Accidents and deaths due to speeding also decreased by 61.6 percent and 59.6 percent, respectively, the statistics indicated.

Moreover, accidents linked to drunk driving declined 11.7 percent year on year and the death toll was reduced by 5.7 percent, the statement said.

Also, the number of violations in which passenger coaches were found to be overloaded fell by 70.7 percent and the number in which people ran traffic lights registered a 40.2-percent drop.

Stricter driving license exams with more tests simulating driving on real roads have better polished the candidates' skills, said Li Jiangping, deputy chief of the traffic management bureau.

In 2013, the number of traffic violations committed by new drivers with driving experience of less than one year witnessed a 72.9-percent drop from the previous year.

Efforts to curb traffic offenses are essential to contain major traffic accidents and maintain road safety, Li said.

The statement said the authorities will further streamline traffic rules and driving exams and enhance law enforcement.