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May 5, 2012

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New test to prevent accidents

CITY traffic police and health researchers are developing a new driver screening process to detect potential road killers, which will be helpful in preventing accidents.

The procedure will test and score drivers' neurobehavioral abilities in response to various situations, like emergencies, via a virtual computer program.

Xu Liming, a professor with the disease prevention and control center in Pudong, said there is a small number in drivers "who are accident prone."

They account for just about 5 percent of total drivers but are responsible for 47 percent of road accidents, Xu told Shanghai Morning Post.

Presently drivers only undergo physical checks, which are relatively simple, before getting their driving licenses at driving schools.

The new test, which will be open to all and is not mandatory, is still under research, traffic police said.

Through interactive touch screen question and answer sessions on computers, drivers will be subjected to tests that will check for response speed, emotional condition and coordination ability.

Similar screening has been used in the military at home and aboard, researchers said. Some drivers have already undergone trial tests.

Traffic police in the Pudong New Area said they plan to conduct the test on 2,000 bus drivers first and gradually expand it to include drivers of construction trucks and school buses, as a new way to tell whether they are suitable for the job. The drivers, however, will not be banned from driving if they are found to have some defects, at least for now.

A testing spot is expected to be set up in a Pudong community and will be open to all.


 

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