Safety day highlights the importance of road rules
Source: Xinhua |
December 3, 2012, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA marked its first national day for road safety with exhibitions, lectures and online discussions exhorting pedestrians and drivers to observe the rules of the road.
Publicity and educational activities were held across Chinese cities as experts blame a lack of awareness for rampant breaches of traffic rules across the country.
Proposed by the Ministry of Public Security, the day aims to improve people's awareness of road safety and the related legal system, as well as road courtesy. The event was held on December 2 because of its appearance as "122," the telephone number for reporting road accidents in China.
The day was marked in the northeastern city of Liaoyuan in Jilin Province with cash rewards issued to 400 "model drivers" selected from professional drivers and private car owners with good traffic records.
"By awarding good drivers, we hope to encourage a trend of respecting traffic rules," said Liu Wei, an official with the city government of Liaoyuan.
Traffic authorities also beefed up online publicity, using their accounts on microblogging sites to appeal for improved road behavior.
One widely circulated post named 10 bad traffic habits including bad overtaking, throwing garbage out of windows and driving without wearing seat belts.
The ministry said that 70,000 people died and 300,000 were injured in road accidents in China each year.
More than 80 percent of these accidents were caused by violations of traffic rules, the ministry said.
Experts said China needs to enhance education, infrastructure and legislation building as more citizens take to the roads, boosting sales in what is now the world's biggest market for automobiles.
"Many Chinese drive cars as if they are riding a bike," said Liu Pan, professor and researcher on road safety at Nanjing's Southeast University.
Publicity and educational activities were held across Chinese cities as experts blame a lack of awareness for rampant breaches of traffic rules across the country.
Proposed by the Ministry of Public Security, the day aims to improve people's awareness of road safety and the related legal system, as well as road courtesy. The event was held on December 2 because of its appearance as "122," the telephone number for reporting road accidents in China.
The day was marked in the northeastern city of Liaoyuan in Jilin Province with cash rewards issued to 400 "model drivers" selected from professional drivers and private car owners with good traffic records.
"By awarding good drivers, we hope to encourage a trend of respecting traffic rules," said Liu Wei, an official with the city government of Liaoyuan.
Traffic authorities also beefed up online publicity, using their accounts on microblogging sites to appeal for improved road behavior.
One widely circulated post named 10 bad traffic habits including bad overtaking, throwing garbage out of windows and driving without wearing seat belts.
The ministry said that 70,000 people died and 300,000 were injured in road accidents in China each year.
More than 80 percent of these accidents were caused by violations of traffic rules, the ministry said.
Experts said China needs to enhance education, infrastructure and legislation building as more citizens take to the roads, boosting sales in what is now the world's biggest market for automobiles.
"Many Chinese drive cars as if they are riding a bike," said Liu Pan, professor and researcher on road safety at Nanjing's Southeast University.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
