Revised driver's license regulation timely

BEIJING - A revised regulation concerning the management of driver's licenses that was issued on Monday, has been hailed by experts as timely and necessary.

"The amendment is timely and significant," said Fan Li, who works with the China Communications and Transportation Association.

Statistics from the Ministry of Public Security indicate that 794 people were killed and more than 2,400 others injured in road accidents that occurred during this year's autumn holiday travel rush from September 30 to October 1.

"The amendment will be conducive to enhancing drivers' overall quality," Fan said.

Under the revised regulation, failing to give way to school buses and ignoring traffic lights will result in six penalty points, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

Current regulations require drivers to report to the police, attend a seven-day training session and take a written exam if they receive 12 or more penalty points within one year.

The revised regulation also raises requirements for bus drivers by increasing the required number of training courses.

Yu Lingyun, a law professor at Tsinghua University, said the revisions are pragmatic and will guide drivers in a positive way.

Yu added that strict enforcement will be key to ensuring the regulation's effectiveness.

The provisions regarding school bus drivers will take effect upon being issued, while the rest will go into effect on January 1, 2013.

A Wednesday editorial in the Beijing News said the regulation will be a test for authorities.

Road safety in China has been challenged by increasing numbers of drivers and road accident deaths. Official figures show that 62,387 people died in road accidents last year, or a daily average of 170 deaths.