Authorities in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, have pledged to stop sprinkler trucks spraying water in freezing weather after an icy road was blamed for a 38-vehicle pileup over the weekend.

Two people were injured in the traffic smash, which happened on Saturday on a highway in the city's Lianhu district, China News Service reported on Tuesday.

Traffic police said the pileup was caused by ice that had formed after a spraying that morning — when the temperature was -1 C.

Local regulations say water spraying should be halted when the mercury dips below 3 C.

On Tuesday, the Lianhu district government posted on Sina Weibo to say its leaders had held a meeting on how to improve its work in watering public areas.

It said the urban management department will be urged to strictly follow the rules in winter and act quickly to prevent icy roads.

Zheng Yumeng contributed to this story.