The total number of traffic accidents in China last year, dropped by more than 20 percent last year. But the number of deaths increased by about three percent, raising concerns about what can be done to make our roads safer. CRI reporter Xiaoyu takes a closer look on the road toll. 

China's roads are becoming busier as the country goes through a period of rapid economic growth.

More people in China are buying cars; more goods are being transported; and the building boom means construction materials are being transported and more workers are using the roads.

Fatalities from traffic accidents are also increasing.

Sun Huashan, deputy director of the State Administration of Work Safety, explains why.

"There are many reasons for the frequent traffic accidents, including China's under-developed roads, highways, and vehicles, as well as a poor public awareness of traffic safety."

In the past year, a national road safety campaign has been launched to reduce traffic accidents.

The campaign includes checking the qualifications of driving schools and has resulted in the shutdown of 500 unqualified schools.

Checks on drivers have also been increased and more than one million drivers found breaking the road rules have been sent back to driving schools to re-sit their exams.

The Ministry of Public Security has also investigated transport companies and vehicle manufacturing and refitting businesses.

The condition of China's roads is also in the spotlight, with many dangerous or worn roads being fixed.

Official figures show that the number of traffic accidents last year dropped from 650 thousand in 2003, to about 500 thousand last year, a drop of 20 percent.

However, the death toll in 2004 reached 107 thousand, 3,000 more than in 2003.

Sun Huashan, from the State Administration of Work Safety, says the figures are accurate.

"The number of accidents and the death toll was counted by the police who went to the accidents, therefore the figures are very accurate. It seems that the number of traffic accidents is dropping, but it's hard to change the status quo."

Car accidents are the main cause of death on the roads and there has been an increase in highway accidents and accidents at night.

There's also been an increase in the number of major accidents killing over 10 people in one incident.

Many of these involve trucks or buses and may be because of the increasing number of migrant workers coming to cities.

Officials say drink driving, speeding and driving without a license are responsible for the majority of accidents.

(CRI.com January 17, 2005)