China reported 50,682 deaths in 195,319 road accidents in the first nine months this year, down 12.7 percent and 20.1 percent, respectively, year-on-year, according to the latest Ministry of Public Security figures.

The accidents caused 229,484 injuries and direct economic loss of 770 million yuan (113 million U.S dollars), a drop of 21.2 percent and 14.5 percent, respectively, from the same period last year, the ministry said on its website on Wednesday.

There were 23 serious road accidents that killed more than 10 people each.

According to the ministry, 40.4 percent of the fatalities were caused by accidents of commercial vehicles.

The ministry blamed speeding, illegal overtaking, fatigued driving and failing to give way according to rules as the major causes of accidents.

(Xinhua News Agency October 8, 2008)