Chinese police check coaches ahead of Lunar New Year

Police have stepped up security checks of coaches and their drivers as many Chinese hit the road for family reunions ahead of the traditional Chinese New Year. By Tuesday, a total of 3,991 coach drivers had been banned from the road for their poor driving records, such as repeated speeding offenses, fatigued driving and overloading, said the Ministry of Public Security on Wednesday. The ministry asked coach companies to raise the security check levels of their vehicles and train drivers to strictly follow traffic laws and stop risky behavior, such as making phone calls and sending text messages while driving, the statement said. The ministry also welcomed passengers to report any violations to the police and urged them not to board unqualified or overloaded coaches, it said. The Spring Festival, or lunar new year, is China's most important traditional holiday for family reunion. The holiday's drastic surge in travelers puts great pressure on the country's road, railway and air transportation systems. The Ministry of Transport estimated that Chinese will make 3.62 billion trips during this year's Spring Festival rush from Jan. 16 to Feb. 24, including 3.2 billion trips by road.