The Ministry of Public Security will continue intensifying inspections of the blood alcohol concentration of drivers with the intent to reduce the number of traffic accidents.

Statistics released at the National Committee for Traffic Safety’s conference in Hanoi on May 8 showed that in March, the number of accidents caused by drivers under the influence accounted for 6.87 percent of the 1,722 cases, which killed 757 people and injured 1,720 others.

Since December 15, transport police have revoked 35,370 driving licences, temporarily seizing nearly 2,400 cars and 33,000 motorbikes and fining a total of 110.5 billion VND (5.08 million USD).

Localities recording the highest numbers of violations included Tay Ninh, Dak Lak and Dong Thap provinces and Ho Chi Minh City.

The conference also agreed that positive results can be seen five months post-implementation of the committee’s plan on controlling drunk driving, contributing to decreasing the number of traffic accidents in December 2014 and the first four months of 2015.

Looking forward, the committee will continue intensifying communications to raise public awareness of traffic safety laws as well as the negative impacts of alcohol on drivers while expanding inspections to minimise alcohol-related traffic incidents.-VNA