Chinese police have been tasked with improving patrols and surveillance using new technology to slash the growing death toll on the nation's roads.
The new orders are central to a month-long campaign launched Monday by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS).
Official statistics show there were 760,000 road traffic accidents in China last year, resulting in 100,600 deaths.
This represented a 12 percent rise on the previous year, sending shockwaves through government safety bureaux nationwide.
The MPS action was in response to the State Council's call for a nationwide work safety overhaul, which kicked off at the end of last month.
Drivers who flout traffic rules by driving carelessly, while drunk or without relevant documents will be slapped with harsh punishments.
Overloading, exceeding the speed limit and illegal parking will all be strictly penalized according to the traffic regulations.
Officials have also pledged to strengthen traffic administration on buses, trucks and farm vehicles.
In cities, police will focus efforts on eradicating traffic chaos mainly caused by pedestrians and non-motor vehicles.
The MPS has set itself the target of reducing violations of traffic regulations by pedestrians and non-motor vehicles by 10 percent.
The latest accident happened yesterday in Ma'erkang County of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, when a bus collided onto a tractor and fell into a river by the road, killing four, injuring three, with another 15 missing.
(China Daily June 11, 2002)
