Rural accidents prompt crackdown on unlicensed passenger vehicles

On Wednesday, the Traffic Administration Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security urged a comprehensive inspection of potential traffic hazards facing rural residents, after two recent traffic accidents killed 27 people.

The bureau issued a notice asking traffic management departments at public security organs to work closely with the departments of transportation, agriculture and rural affairs and emergency to carry out a comprehensive investigation of potential hazards.

As more rural residents have begun to work at factories, farms, orchards or tea gardens in recent years, travel difficulties and traffic safety have become increasing problems.

In Heilongjiang province's Boli county, an accident that resulted from serious overloading, excessive speed and a tractor carrying passengers illegally killed 15 and injured one on Saturday, according to the province's public security department.

In another case the following day, a pickup carrying 14 people ran off the road on a mountainous road in Taihu county in Anhui province, killing 12 and injuring two. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

The bureau asked traffic police to study workers in rural areas and conduct an in-depth investigation into key enterprises and groups.

Apart from actively work to increase rural transport, public security organs also need to sign traffic safety commitment letters with enterprises and drivers to prohibit the carriage of people in unlicensed vehicles. The bureau added that violators will be severely penalized by the newly amended law on work safety.

It also reminded residents that trucks, tricycles and tractors carrying passengers are prone to accidents, and that residents should not ride in unlicensed vehicles.