Traffic accidents caused by cars rise sharply in first nine months

The committee held a teleconference under the chair of Deputy Prime Minister and NTSC Chairman Truong Hoa Binh in Hanoi on October 11 to review the traffic situation between January and September and set up tasks for the fourth quarter.

NTSC Vice Chairman Khuat Viet Hung said more than 13,000 traffic accidents were recorded during the period, killing more than 6,000 and injuring over 10,000 others. The figures have, however, declined by over 1,100 accidents, 110 killed, and 1,400 injured from the previous year, respectively.

Thirty-eight provinces and centrally-run cities saw a decrease, while 23 others witnessed an increase in the number of deaths from traffic accidents. Notably, northern Cao Bang and Bac Giang provinces and southern Tay Ninh province had a surge of over 50 percent in this regard.

Hung noted more than 85 percent of the traffic accident victims are motorcyclists. However, this year’s first nine months also saw an increase in the number of violations by coaches.

At the meeting, participants pointed towards the limited awareness of commuters as causing the rampant violations of traffic rules, especially in rural areas and on national highways. They also criticised some localities for not being drastic enough in controlling overloaded trucks, managing urban construction, and dealing with encroachment on roads.

They added that there remain flaws in the 2008 Law on Road Traffic, as well as the law on handling administrative violations and other legal documents relevant to traffic safety, thus affecting the enforcement of traffic safety regulations.

Participants also clarified obstacles to the ensuring of traffic safety, pointing out the responsibility of authorities, and devising short- and long-term solutions to the problem.