The Chinese government has adopted stricter regulations to rein in traffic-law enforcement, Beijing-based Legal Daily reported Thursday.

Police officers from the traffic administration are forbidden to detain vehicles, driving licenses or car plates illegally, according to the newly-published rules, which go into force on January 1, 2006.

Those who refuse to give a receipt, make false reports on the amount of fines, or take bribes will be punished in accordance with their behaviors, it says.

Moreover, police officers must wear badges and possess IDs, while working on their post.

Traffic police must be brought under supervision by their own departments as well as by the public, according to the new rules.

The new regulations, comprising six articles and 68 clauses, govern various kinds of fundamental requirements for the behavior of traffic police.

Existing traffic-law regulations, which were issued in 1999, will cease to be effective on New Year's Day.

(Xinhua News Agency December 16, 2005)