BEIJING - The Ministry of Public Security has urged police across the country to strictly supervise road traffic and stay on high alert for potential accidents around this year's Qingming Festival, or Tomb Sweeping Day.

The holiday, which falls on April 4 this year, calls for Chinese to burn incense and paper money in remembrance of the dead. Traffic is expected to increase, as many people will drive long distances to visit their late relatives' graves to pay their respects.

"Local police departments must be fully prepared to manage heavy traffic in order to prevent major road accidents, as well as long-term and large-scale traffic jams," said a statement released Saturday by the ministry.

According to the statement, greater numbers of police officers should be deployed near major roads, cemeteries and tourist attractions, while traffic checkpoints should conduct around-the-clock supervision, focusing on passenger buses, school buses and trucks carrying dangerous materials.

The ministry also urged local traffic departments to make improvements to their traffic warning systems and inform drivers of peak driving hours in order to prevent traffic jams.