Road accidents killed 2,670 preschoolers and primary and middle school students and injured another 11,417 in China last year, figures from the Ministry of Public Security show.

As 45 percent of the deadly accidents occurred when the victims were walking, the ministry has urged parents and school teachers to make more efforts to guide children to follow traffic signals and choose a zebra crossing or an underpass when crossing a street.

Traffic accidents on China's roads result in about 70,000 deaths and 300,000 injuries each year, according to the ministry. Speeding, fatigue, drunk driving and poor road conditions are usually blamed.

The ministry warned drivers to slow down when driving near schools or villages. It also urged parents and teachers to teach children, especially those living in rural areas, not to play on highways.

Parents were also told to use baby seats in cars and not to allow children under the age of 12 cycling on the road.