Character of rural highway accident and safety policy

Rural highway traffic accident data collected by survey of 9 counties in 3 different provinces in China are studied. The studies show there are six special characters of rural highway traffic accidents. In rural highway the vehicle type is more complex and the large proportion of vehicle is unlicensed. Most accidents happened in 2 and 3 class road in rural area. The highway is in poor condition. The rural accident is in low casualties and more pedestrian collisions. According to the characters of rural accident, four safety policies are given: improving the rural highway users´ safety awareness; strengthening vehicle inspection and drivers´ emergency dealing capability; improving the rural road traffic safety facilities; strengthening rural road maintenance and improve road adhesion.