Traffic police started applying the fast handling method last December. Drivers are required to move from the accident site within five minutes if it's just a "small" bump involving one or two vehicles.

The two sides are allowed to settle responsibility for the accident after removing their cars from main traffic lanes.

The new rules specify how to evaluate responsibility, following many cases of drivers lingering behind to haggle with officers, especially since once the vehicles are moved away, there is not much evidence about the accident left.

The rules clarify that officers can pin responsibility in 20 circumstances, no matter whether the cars are moved or not, most of which involve traffic violations.

For instance, if one party is driving in reverse, running a red light or overtaking illegally when the accident happens, he or she must take full responsibility.

However, drivers must take a picture of the site or chalk out the positions of the vehicles in an accident if it's difficult to pin blame or if one party in the accident is inebriated, drive without license or drives an unlicensed auto.

The new rules also detail areas for drivers to discuss the accident once they pull their vehicles away from the site, which includes emergency parking zones on expressways and sidewalks.

"We will try to expand the mode to major traffic accidents instead of just small mishaps to further ease traffic jams," said Liu Xingwei of the Shanghai General Traffic and Patrol Team.

Police expect the mode to be a main tool to help reach its goal in which average speed will increase to 45 kilometers per hour on local elevated highways and 18 kph on downtown roads during rush hour this year.

The relative speed was 43.2 kph and 17.6 kph, respectively, in March, police said.

(eastday.com June 11, 2003)