China’s judicial authorities have reported a significant improvement in road safety indicators for 2025, with substantial reductions in traffic-related criminal cases nationwide. According to data released by the Supreme People’s Court (SPC), Chinese courts adjudicated approximately 43,000 first-instance cases involving traffic accident offenses, representing a notable 3% decrease compared to the previous year. More dramatically, cases of dangerous driving offenses plummeted by nearly 16% year-on-year, with just over 230,000 such cases processed through the judicial system.
The SPC emphasized the intrinsic connection between transportation safety and broader socioeconomic stability, noting that protecting lives and property on roadways remains fundamental to effective public safety governance. In a landmark move addressing emerging technological challenges, the court issued clarifications regarding driver liability in vehicles equipped with assisted driving systems. The judicial guidance specifically addresses concerning behaviors where drivers activate automated features then disengage from their operational responsibilities—including using mobile devices or even sleeping while the vehicle is in motion.
The court’s position establishes that assisted driving technology does not transfer legal responsibility from the human operator to the vehicle’s systems. ‘Regardless of assisted driving activation status, the driver maintains primary operational responsibility and must remain accountable for safety outcomes,’ the SPC stated unequivocally. The ruling further specifies that individuals who employ unauthorized modifications to circumvent safety monitoring systems will be considered fully liable operators under the law, even when not physically controlling the vehicle at the time of incidents.
This judicial interpretation comes as China continues to enhance its legal framework around emerging transportation technologies while working to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities through combined technological, educational, and enforcement measures.