China has 184 mln auto drivers, safety advised

Shanghai, April 3 (Gasgoo.com) Of its 1.3-billion population, China now has 184 million motor vehicle drivers, up 2.05% from a year earlier, xinhuanet.com said today, citing the country's traffic authorities.

Holders of car driver's licenses account for 68% of all the auto drivers, up 2.67% from the end of last year. In the first three months this year, the number of drivers increased by 450,844 in Jan., 949,398 in Feb. and 1,302,395 in March, up 0.8%, 0.52% and 0.71% month on month respectively.

The traffic authorities require all drivers to drive with caution, observe driving regulations, and bear traffic safety in mind. The drivers are asked to bring their driving papers on the road, to keep their vehicles in good condition, and not to make or receive cell-phone calls or manipulate the laptop or auto radio.

As the spring weather is getting warm, drivers are liable to become more sleepy and tired. In this case, they are strongly advised to stop for a rest, especially during night, road safety watchdogs said.

In early March, Police in the Chongqing region of southwest China began to spicy up drivers with raw chili in a bid to stop them falling asleep at the wheel. "It's really good to have some hot peppers when you are tired from driving," a van driver said.