Deputy PM orders efforts to reduce traffic accidents during Tet

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh has urged the National Committee for Traffic Safety along with the Ministries of Transport and Public Security to exert all efforts to reduce traffic accidents during the Lunar New Year holiday (Tet) which lasts from February 2-10 this year.
Police stop a motorbike driver near Hoan Kiem Lake in the capital city. (Photo: VNA)

Police stop a motorbike driver near Hoan Kiem Lake in the capital city. (Photo: VNA)

Binh, who is also Chairman of the National Committee for Traffic Safety, spoke at a recent conference to discuss traffic safety solutions, following a number of recent collisions.

Khuat Viet Hung, vice chairman of the committee, mentioned fatal accidents involving trucks and coaches in the first half of January.

Besides poor driving, transport enterprises are also to blame for these incidents, he said.

According to Hung, many transport enterprises put huge pressure on drivers – forcing them to work long hours without being monitored and or conducting periodic checks on vehicles.

The punishments for those companies are not strict enough to stop them committing violations.  

A drug and alcohol testing campaign in some localities and accident black spots was suggested by Transport Minister Nguyen Van The, aiming to reduce traffic accidents, especially those involving large vehicles.

Last week, Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police started to conduct drug tests on truck and coach drivers. On the first two days of the campaign, January 12 and 13, five of 44 drivers tested positive for narcotics.

Binh instructed that the drivers have their licences revoked. At the same time, investigations will be conducted into a number of transport companies and driving schools.

The Deputy PM also asked for management on the issuance of driving licences to be tightened and harsh punishments imposed on any schools which violate regulations.

Responding to the 24 fatal traffic accidents in late December, 2018 and the first half of January, 2019, Nguyen Van Huyen, General Director of the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam, said that poor driving was partly to blame.

Some experienced drivers cause accidents by overestimating their ability or driving dangerously, he said.

On January 17, a driving school in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak was reported for deceiving trainees.

According to initial findings, staff said that the school was part of the Ministry of Transport and promised to help all trainees pass their driving tests by paying between 6-10 million VND (260-430 USD). Up to 400 people had enrolled in the school by the beginning of 2019.

During Tet last year, from February 14 to 20, 2018, 168 people were killed in traffic accidents while another 37,200 were injured. The number rose sharply on the third and fourth days of the New Year.

VNA

Other News

Hanoi ready to implement Capital Law 2026, unlocking new development momentum

Hanoi ready to implement Capital Law 2026, unlocking new development momentum

The effectiveness of the Capital Law 2026 will be measured not by the number of legal documents issued but by tangible improvements in governance and public administration, better services for people and businesses, faster administrative procedures, stronger investment attraction and higher economic growth.

Vietnamese students earn honours at ROBOG Asia Cup 2026

Vietnamese students earn honours at ROBOG Asia Cup 2026

Three teams from Chu Van An Secondary School in Vietnam’s Thai Nguyen province have earned First Prize honours and advanced to the quarterfinals at the ROBOG Asia Cup 2026, a regional robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) competition for students held in Hong Kong, China.

Hanoi sets out new investment blueprint with century-long development vision

Hanoi sets out new investment blueprint with century-long development vision

As of early June, Hanoi had attracted 74.6 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) through more than 9,250 valid projects. FDI inflows in the first six months were projected at 3.2 billion USD, surpassing the annual target by 116%, while nearly 16,000 new businesses were established in the first five months, up 34.4% year-on-year.

Vietnam promotes legal cooperation and rule of law at global forum

Vietnam promotes legal cooperation and rule of law at global forum

Vietnam’s development and international integration have gone hand in hand with the improvement of its legal system, the incorporation of international commitments into domestic legislation, and legal reforms aimed at fostering development, openness and global integration. The country regards international law as an essential instrument for building fair, mutually beneficial relations among nations.

Hanoi to hold investment promotion event on June 29

Hanoi to hold investment promotion event on June 29

At the event, Hanoi authorities plan to grant investment policy decisions and investment registration certificates to 20 exemplary projects in the fields of transportation infrastructure, industrial parks, urban development, social housing, environment, science and technology, and foreign investment attraction.

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Located south of the Red River and extending from the historic inner city to newly developing areas in the south and the west, the central urban area along Red River’s right bank covers approximately 45,317 hectares and is projected to accommodate around 6.365 million residents by 2045 and 6.455 million by 2065.

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Located south of the Red River and extending from the historic inner city to newly developing areas in the south and the west, the central urban area along Red River’s right bank covers approximately 45,317 hectares and is projected to accommodate around 6.365 million residents by 2045 and 6.455 million by 2065.

Regional cooperation strengthened to combat cross-border drug crime

Regional cooperation strengthened to combat cross-border drug crime

Vietnam, China, Laos and Myanmar face common challenges as drug syndicates increasingly exploit the Mekong River, cross-border transport networks, e-commerce platforms, international logistics services, cyberspace and cryptocurrencies to organise drug transactions and smuggling operations.