This is the moment a young girl runs out into the road across a zebra crossing and a van driver slams on the brakes and skids to a halt just centimetres from her.

The incident was filmed in the district of Wulong in the Chinese municipality of Chongqing while the girl was attempting to cross the road alone.

In the video, a white van is seen speeding towards the zebra crossing just as a young girl runs across the road.

The driver slams on their brakes and the van skids to a stop parallel with the zebra crossing.

Meanwhile, the girl has to take several steps to the side to avoid being hit by the van’s rear, which comes to a stop centimetres from the young tot.

According to the news site Toutiao, a police officer on the scene fined the van driver CNY 200 (GBP 22) and deducted three points for failing to yield at a pedestrian crossing.

The police also reminded guardians to accompany their young children on crossings and be vigilant at all times.