Risky roads need more than a warning sign

A truck is sandwiched between a bus and concrete blocks at a road accident site in Fuzhou, Fujian province, Jan 5. [Photo/Nhaidu.com]

The Transportation Management Bureau

of the Ministry of Public Security published a list of the top 10 "highly risky" sections of roads on Tuesday. Combined together they are not longer than 150 kilometers, but there were 1,203 traffic accidents on them last year, which resulted in 451 deaths. The bureau reminded drivers to stay alert while driving on these roads. Comments:

Not only drivers, but also the road authorities should stay alert. Investigations are needed to find out why these particular sections have become the country's most dangerous roads. If the danger is caused by natural conditions, the authorities need to take specific measures to improve their safety. If bad construction, which is common due to rampant corruption, is to blame, the officials responsible should pay for their illegal activities. Better start the repair work instead of just hanging up a warning sign.

Beijing News, Feb 12

A thorough look at the top 10 most dangerous sections of roads shows that a majority of the accidents involved overloaded trucks; this is a familiar phenomenon nationwide. The heavy road tolls mean that truck owners have to load their trucks with astonishing amounts of goods to ofset the high costs and make profit. It is time to strike at the root problem through a total reform of the road toll system.

Qianjiang Evening News, Feb 12

Before construction on a new road begins, it is necessary to do all the security evaluations and eliminate any possible risks, so that they don't lead drivers and passengers to hell. Currently it is mainly officials that decide where to construct a road and how it will be constructed; the decision-making process must be changed, so that expert advice, residents' feedback, even warnings from the police are taken into consideration so as to lower the risks.

Beijing Youth Daily, Feb 12