China's learner drivers will from Sunday have to sit a tougher license test aimed at checking the country's alarmingly high road death toll.

A spokesman with Ministry of Public Security said new regulations required learners to pass at least 10 out of 13 practical tests, which include changing lanes, traversing intersections and night driving.

"They will be evaluated on stricter and more specific criteria," said the spokesman.

Applicants will also be tested on real roads with a single-way traffic flow of at least 60 cars per hour. Learners in mountainous areas will take additional tests on roads with tunnels, culverts and steep slopes.

"The new test will emphasize safety awareness," said the spokesman. "This will be considered more important than the driving skills alone."

Experts say a lack of safety awareness, flagrant violations of traffic rules and poor road etiquette are the major causes of traffic accidents in China.

China recorded 378,781 traffic accidents in 2006, with 89,455 deaths, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2007)