BEIJING, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Traffic accidents have killed about 100,000 people and injured 400,000 each year on average for the last seven years in China, the Ministries of Health and Public Security reported, as part of a road safety awareness campaign.

Traffic accidents have also caused direct economic losses in the billions of yuan, an official with the Ministry of Public Security said.

"We have worked closely with the Ministry of Public Security to deal with traffic accidents," Ma Xiaowei, vice Health Minister, said. "All municipalities, provincial capitals and prefectures have established emergency medical centers equipped with ambulances."

The safety campaign has been launched to coincide with a traffic safety week initiated by the United Nations from April 23 to 29.