Road rules revised in wake of grim holiday period

China's recent eight day national holiday ended with grim road safety statistics: 794 people dead and 68,400 motor accidents across the country.

In the wake of this, the Ministry of Public Security released new traffic rules on Monday, that mean drivers caught running a red light will receive six penalty points. After 12 penalty points a driver loses their license.

Some have complained the regulation is too strict, but it is in line with international practice and a fundamental move to cut road accidents, according to an article in Beijing News. Excerpts:

Last year, the death toll from traffic accidents reached 62,387, meaning 171 people died each day on China's roads. According to the 12th Five-Year Plan, the death rate per 10,000 vehicles should be no more than 2.2 by 2015. In Japan the figure was 0.77 some years ago.

We need to look at the reasons why there are so many traffic accidents. According to statistics, 90 percent of accidents are due to human factors, of which 70 percent are down to drivers.

If we look at accidents during the recent national holiday, many were the result of bad behavior on the part of drivers.

We need refined regulations that help drivers foster a sense of rules and enhance their driving ability.

Compared with the West, China is at an early stage in the development of an auto society. Our driving culture needs much improvement, especially with regard to traffic rules.

The new rules, which will take effect at the beginning of next year, are a necessary step towards aligning China's driving culture with international practices.