Traffic accidents as well as the number of fatalities and injuries fell in HCM City in the first 10 months of the year, according to the city's Traffic Safety Board.

The number declined against the same period last year, with a total of 679 accidents, a drop of 18 percent.

The city said there were 579 fatalities during the period, a 16-percent reduction. The number of injuries was 262, a 32-percent fall compared to the same period last year.

Speaking on the "Listen and Discuss" talk show on HTV9 recently, Nguyen Ngoc Tuong, deputy head of the Traffic Safety Board, said the number of traffic accidents has declined continuously over the past five years.

"However, traffic fatalities are still high compared to the rest of the country," he said.

More than 80 percent of traffic accidents are caused by driving in the wrong lane, speeding, running red light or drunk driving.

Young people aged 19-30 account for nearly 40 percent of traffic accidents.

Tran Thanh Tra, deputy head of the city Road and Railway Traffic Police Bureau, said the city will increase enforcement against traffic violators.

Three-wheel modified vehicles and overloaded vehicles are among those that cause the most accidents.

Bui Xuan Cuong, deputy director of the city's Transport Department, said the department will continue to carry out small but effective measures, like installing median strips on roads and separating lanes for two-wheel vehicles and automobiles.

The department will also try to improve the conduct of bus drivers, and the quality of driver-licence testing centres.-VNA