The machine -- EV-32 vehicle graphic recorder -- will soon be installed in various vehicles around the city, according to Guo Ji, a spokesman for the Shanghai General Team of Traffic and Patrol Police.

He declined, however, to say which vehicles will employ the device first and whether installation will become compulsory.

"The machine was developed under the call to employ more high technology in the battle against local traffic jams," said Guo, adding that police spent six months creating the device.

The device consists of a digital camera that can take pictures every 1.4 seconds and store 32 photos at a time. It begins taking photos when a car is started and stops seven seconds after the vehicle does.

"At least 37 seconds of the situation before and after an accident will be recorded," said Guo.

Police hope the device will encourage drivers to settle small accidents quickly, moving their cars off the street so they don't block traffic.

Previously, local officials announced a "fast accident handling mode" that requires drivers involved in minor accidents to get their cars out of traffic's way within five minutes to reduce congestion.

But many drivers have proven unwilling to move their cars until police arrive to avoid destroying evidence that could be used in court or for insurance purposes.

Police say the new device will provide clear evidence of what happened during an accident, so drivers no longer have an excuse to hold up traffic arguing over minor fender benders.

Previously, police used chalk and cameras to collect evidence after an accident.

During the first half of this year, there were 22,226 reported minor accidents in the city, however just over 62 percent of those scenes were cleared up quickly, police report.

According to Zhou Debao, a traffic cop in charge of elevated highways, when accidents are handled quickly it can reduce the resulting traffic jam by some four kilometers.

(Eastday.com July 21, 2003)