Wang Changjun, director of the Traffic Management Research Institute under the Ministry of Public Security, delivers a speech at the "Road to Safer Cities" session of the 9th Global Conference on Health Promotion in Shanghai on Nov. 21, 2016. (Photo/eastday.com)

"Science and technology will make traffic much safer," said Wang Changjun, director of the Traffic Management Research Institute under the Ministry of Public Security. Wang made his comments at the "Road to Safer Cities" session of the 9th Global Conference on Health Promotion in Shanghai on Nov. 21.

Statistics show that the total number of Chinese drivers has increased nearly 30-fold over the past 30 years. Traffic accidents are generally caused by human error, and the number of deaths caused by drivers with three years or less of driving experience account for nearly 30 percent of all traffic-related deaths.

Wang pointed out that the prevention of traffic accidents requires an improvement of public awareness about traffic safety. China's Ministry of Public Security, together with other relevant departments, has adopted a variety of measures – including publicity and education, engineering technology and law enforcement – to achieve the goal. The application of new technologies is one major step forward.

China has already established more than 200 traffic safety education bases. Visitors of different ages can learn traffic safety knowledge through diverse and interactive lessons. For example, electronic games are available for teenagers, and pedestrians and cyclists can experience what it feels like to drive drunk thanks to VR technology. In addition, drones and laser speed-measuring devices have been introduced to help enforce traffic laws.

However, relying on public security to cut down on accidents can only go so far, as traffic accidents involve many different factors.

"We also need to improve the planning, design, construction and maintenance of roads to help prevent of traffic accidents", Wang stressed.