BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Public Security has warned the public of major traffic safety risks ahead of Tomb-sweeping Day that falls on April 5 this year.

Road safety may be threatened by forecasted rain in southern China, the travel peak during the holiday from Friday to Sunday and a large number of people visiting cemeteries via car, the ministry said in a statement on its website.

Safety risks may also arise on rural roads, the ministry noted, adding that according to data over the past three years, 40 percent of accidents on rural roads during the Tomb-sweeping Day holiday were fatal.

Tomb-sweeping Day, also known as Qingming Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday when people pay tribute to deceased family and friends.