China tightens traffic checks during travel rush

BEIJING - The Ministry of Public Security on Sunday ordered tightening road inspections on speeding and drunk-driving to ensure a safe journey for home-going Chinese.

The ministry's order came after road accidents in North China's Gansu and Southwest China's Guizhou killed at least 30 people during the annual Spring Festival travel rush.

Those accidents were all related to illicit acts including speeding, overloading, fatigue driving and drunk driving.

The ministry urged local authorities to prevent similar deadly accidents and ensure road safety for home-goers by reinforcing traffic management and checks, and rewarding passengers for reporting illegal acts.

Transport police will promptly respond to public report and calls for  help coming from telephones, text messages and microblogs, according to the ministry.