China traffic bureau says roads stable on third day of National Day holiday
In short
China's road traffic was generally stable and orderly on the third day of the National Day holiday, the Ministry of Public Security's Traffic Management Bureau said, with volumes falling from peak levels but remaining high. Traffic police stepped up control around scenic areas and kept strict enforcement against violations, state media reported. The bureau advised drivers to check the weather, avoid drink-driving and fatigue, and to “slow down, keep lights on and keep distance” in rain and fog.
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Road traffic across China was generally stable and orderly on the third day of the National Day holiday, according to the Ministry of Public Security's Traffic Management Bureau. In reports carried by Xinhua and by China News Service, the bureau said traffic volume had continued to fall from earlier peak levels but was still running high, and it described the national picture as stable and orderly as of 19:00. Neither document reported accidents, casualties or major disruption during the day. [ 1 , 2 ]
The bureau said traffic management departments at all levels adjusted their duty deployments to the holiday travel pattern, stepped up guidance and control on key sections such as roads around scenic areas, maintained strict enforcement against traffic violations and carried out road-safety publicity and reminders, in what it described as an effort to keep holiday travel safe and smooth. [ 2 ]
In its advisory, the bureau told drivers and travellers to watch for changes in the weather and to arrange their travel times and routes accordingly, and to “slow down, keep lights on and keep distance” when driving in rain or fog. It warned against drink-driving during the holiday's many gatherings, urged all vehicle occupants to wear seat belts and riders of motorcycles and electric bicycles to wear helmets, and said drivers should not speed or drive while fatigued on expressways. [ 2 ]
After a traffic accident or a vehicle breakdown, the bureau said, drivers should immediately move the vehicle to the side, evacuate people and call the police. It also advised caution, lower speeds and close observation on rural and mountain roads, particularly at sharp bends, steep slopes and sections next to water or cliffs. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The statement is an official assessment of conditions during one of China's heaviest annual travel periods, and it doubles as a nationwide safety advisory for the remaining holiday days. Its practical value is mainly to travellers in China rather than to readers elsewhere.
Key facts
- National road traffic volume kept falling on the third day of the National Day holiday but remained at a high level, according to the Ministry of Public Security's Traffic Management Bureau. [ 2 ]
- As of 19:00, national road traffic was overall stable and orderly, the bureau said. [ 2 ]
- Traffic management departments adjusted duty deployments and strengthened guidance and control on key sections including roads around scenic areas. [ 2 ]
- The bureau said enforcement against traffic violations continued and that road-safety publicity and reminders were carried out widely. [ 2 ]
- Drivers were told to follow weather changes and arrange travel times and routes, and to “slow down, keep lights on and keep distance” when driving in rain or fog. [ 2 ]
- The bureau warned against drink-driving during holiday gatherings and urged seat belts for all occupants and helmets for riders of motorcycles and electric bicycles. [ 2 ]
- It said drivers should not speed or drive while fatigued on expressways, and after a crash or breakdown should move the vehicle aside, evacuate people and call police immediately. [ 2 ]
- Both official outlets reported that road traffic on the holiday's third day was stable and orderly. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether any accidents, casualties or serious congestion occurred during the day. Neither document reports any incident, and neither gives accident or delay figures, so the orderly picture rests on the traffic bureau's own assessment.
- The exact reference point of the 19:00 assessment and how it relates to the publication times. The Xinhua item is stamped 12:00 on 3 October, while the article carried by China News Service cites a 19:00 assessment of the same day; the documents do not explain the difference.
- Details of how the holiday traffic situation compared with previous years or previous days. The documents say volumes “continued to fall” and were “still high” but give no comparative numbers.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Xinhua publishes an item reporting that road traffic nationwide was stable and orderly on the third day of the holiday. [ 1 ]
- As of this time, national road traffic is overall stable and orderly, according to the Ministry of Public Security's Traffic Management Bureau. [ 2 ]
- China News Service publishes the Xinhua dispatch from the traffic bureau, including its safety advisory for drivers. [ 2 ]