On the morning of June 19, Police Officers Qian and Fan from Jing’an Traffic Police Brigade delivered an informative and vivid safe driving promotion and training session for our staff. During the session, the two officers elaborated on key driving precautions, focusing on how drivers can protect themselves and ensure overall road safety.

(I) Expedited handling procedures for traffic accidents currently promoted in Shanghai

Article 70 of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China stipulates the scope of application for expedited accident handling: areas within and including the Outer Ring Expressway, plus elevated roads outside the Outer Ring Expressway. If vehicles are drivable and no personnel injuries occur, parties must complete three steps within 5 minutes: (1) Mark the scene; (2) Evacuate the vehicles; (3) Settle the accident. Vehicles that stay on-site beyond the time limit will be detained for source verification. Expedited handling shall not apply to accidents involving personal injury.

1. Mark the scene: Use chalk or stones to mark the four wheel positions of the vehicles on the ground.
2. Evacuate the vehicles: Move vehicles to secondary roads or areas that do not obstruct normal traffic flow.
3. Settle the accident: Call the police and wait for officers to arrive. Both parties may exchange driver’s licenses beforehand to prevent the other party from fleeing, then conduct consultations.

(II) Respective duties and roles of traffic police and drivers in road traffic accidents

Four types of traffic signals govern road traffic: (1) Traffic lights; (2) Traffic signs; (3) Traffic markings; (4) Police hand gestures. Among these, police hand gestures carry the highest legal validity. Drivers must carefully record police instructions to proceed even if surveillance cameras are present. Four core traffic rules: (1) Keep to the right; (2) Each vehicle stays in its designated lane; (3) Bus-only lanes; (4) Comply with traffic signals. Drivers must slow down when approaching crosswalks; if pedestrians are on crosswalks, drivers shall stop and yield. On roads without traffic signals, drivers must yield to pedestrians.

(III) New concepts introduced after the promulgation of the revised Road Traffic Safety Law in 2004

1. Road: Includes (1) Highways; (2) Urban roads; (3) Premises under unit jurisdiction open to public vehicle parking; (4) Squares and public parking lots. The definition of highways now extends to village roads, and residential compounds are included within unit premises open for vehicle parking.
2. Vehicle: Consists of motor vehicles and non-motor vehicles.
3. Traffic Accident The 2004 revised Road Traffic Safety Law broadens the definition: an incident causing personal injury, death or property damage arising from fault or accident involving vehicles on roads. Two prerequisites apply: (1) At least one vehicle is involved; (2) The incident stems from fault or unexpected malfunctions such as brake failure or oil tank rupture. For corporate safety, personal protection and vehicle maintenance, drivers must complete pre-trip routine inspections covering tire tread, electrical systems, engine oil and other components before driving. Failure to conduct proper routine maintenance or record maintenance logs will hold management personnel directly accountable. Police may issue fines for vehicles equipped with incomplete safety devices as stipulated by law.

(IV) Driver’s licenses

Many driving licenses are revoked daily due to insufficient driver awareness, a phenomenon prevalent among civil servants and paper drivers (license holders with minimal driving practice). Common revocation causes include expired validity and failure to complete regular physical examinations. Key information items to check on driver’s licenses:

1. Date of birth
2. Annual verification based on the initial license issuance date. Drivers must complete physical examinations at district-level or higher hospitals within 15 days after the issuance anniversary; Shanghai allows examinations up to one month in advance. Insurance claims will be rejected if the deadline is missed.
3. Validity period: Renewal applications may be submitted 90 days prior to expiration; licenses become invalid once expired.
4. File number: 8 digits on old licenses, 12 digits on new licenses. Enterprises shall supervise drivers, collect and archive physical examination receipts submitted by staff drivers.

In summary, drivers must adhere to three core requirements for safe driving:

1. Three accountabilities: Social accountability, corporate accountability and family accountability.
2. Maintain a calm and stable mindset.
3. Avoid fatigue driving, defined as continuous driving for 10 hours without a rest break of at least 20 minutes.