BEIJING -- China's traffic management authority has called on local departments to ensure smooth traffic during the national college entrance examination, or gaokao, which will run from Friday to Sunday.

Local traffic management departments were asked to coordinate with education administrations and schools to ensure that vehicles escorting exam takers are safe and drivers are qualified, according to a video-conference held by the traffic management bureau of the Ministry of Public Security Monday.

Adequate police forces should be deployed to maintain traffic order along main routes for escorting vehicles and surrounding the exam sites, according to the conference.

Local police should provide help for exam takers in case of traffic jams or accidents or if they forget to bring ID cards or exam attendance cards.

This year's national college entrance exam will coincide with the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, which also starts on Friday.

More than 10 million students have applied to take part in the exam.