Khuat Viet Hung, Vice-Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee,told Vietnamplus.vn that though less traffic accidents have occurred sofar this year, overloaded trucks pose a safety threat.
* What are your assessments on traffic accidents for the first six months?
Withconcerted efforts from both political and administrative systems,traffic accidents have been reduced considerably in terms of cases,fatalities and injuries.
There were 11,179 traffic accidentsreported in the period under review, of which 4,478 people were killedand 10,149 injured. Compared with the same period in 2014, the number oftotal accidents was down by 12.85 percent – or 1,648 cases.
Thedeath rate also fell by 4.5 percent – a reduction of 211 cases - and thenumber of people injured was 17.24 percent – a reduction of 2,114.
Judgedby the criteria set down by the National Assembly and Government, thefall in traffic accidents and injuries was positive. However, fatalitieswere 0.5 percent below the set target of a five to 10 percentreduction.
* In your opinion, what's the weakest point in the programme for traffic safety?
TheGovernment issues monthly resolutions on the traffic safety tasks.According to reports from the National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC),in the first six months, traffic safety in a few localities faced someacute problems.
For example, overloaded trucks for the whole of2014 accounted for about 8 percent of traffic violations. However, inthe first six months of this year, this figure jumped to 30 percent.
Thenumber of drivers driving under the influence of alcohol jumped to 2.4percent in the first six months against 0.49 percent in 2014.
However,from December, 2014, to February, 2015, the NTSC launched a campaign ontraffic safety. In that short period, the number of drivers drivingover the legal alcohol limit accounted for only 6.8 percent of totaltraffic violations.
* Although the number of traffic accidents was reduced, the number of serious cases rose. How do you respond to this?
Ihave to concede the number of accidents has is creating great concernin society. Generally speaking, fatalities caused by buses, coaches andtrucks were reduced. But the number of accidents involving buses andcoaches or container trucks with other means of transport were on therise.
Accidents in rail transport in the first six months of 2015 were on the increase compared with the previous few years.
Inthe first five months of 2015, 22 accidents involved container trucks,of which 11 were in HCM City, two in Binh Duong, two in Dong Nai, threein Ba Ria - Vung Tau. Meanwhile, in Hai Phong, the second busiest portafter HCM City, the number of accidents caused by container trucks wasonly two.
* Does the NTSC have any plan to curb accidents caused by transport vehicles, particularly container trucks?
Inthe remaining six months of 2015, we plan to step up inspections ontransport vehicles nation-wide, particularly on overloaded trucks.
We'llask all transport companies to submit black-boxes recording vehicletrips for the previous month for checking. Data from these black boxeswill help us check whether these companies comply with the laws or not.
Meanwhile,we're determined to bring law and order to the transport sector,including road, rail and sea. Hopefully, through the restructuring ofthe transport sector, it will become healthy balance of road, rail andsea.
* Will you tell us about the transport safety plan for the remainder of 2015?
Themost important activity of the NTSC in this period is to tighten thetransport business. As we all know, damage and losses caused by trafficaccidents have become a nightmare to many people and society as a whole.
This is why, for two consecutive years, the NTSC has focusedefforts on controlling the transport business and overloaded vehicles.
Inaddition, safety transport corridor will receive attention from theNTSC to ensure transport safety when our transport infrastructure havebeen up-graded.
Last but not least, communication and raisingpeople's awareness about transport safety will further be promoted. Weconsider this a very important component in transport safety.-VNA
* What are your assessments on traffic accidents for the first six months?
Withconcerted efforts from both political and administrative systems,traffic accidents have been reduced considerably in terms of cases,fatalities and injuries.
There were 11,179 traffic accidentsreported in the period under review, of which 4,478 people were killedand 10,149 injured. Compared with the same period in 2014, the number oftotal accidents was down by 12.85 percent – or 1,648 cases.
Thedeath rate also fell by 4.5 percent – a reduction of 211 cases - and thenumber of people injured was 17.24 percent – a reduction of 2,114.
Judgedby the criteria set down by the National Assembly and Government, thefall in traffic accidents and injuries was positive. However, fatalitieswere 0.5 percent below the set target of a five to 10 percentreduction.
* In your opinion, what's the weakest point in the programme for traffic safety?
TheGovernment issues monthly resolutions on the traffic safety tasks.According to reports from the National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC),in the first six months, traffic safety in a few localities faced someacute problems.
For example, overloaded trucks for the whole of2014 accounted for about 8 percent of traffic violations. However, inthe first six months of this year, this figure jumped to 30 percent.
Thenumber of drivers driving under the influence of alcohol jumped to 2.4percent in the first six months against 0.49 percent in 2014.
However,from December, 2014, to February, 2015, the NTSC launched a campaign ontraffic safety. In that short period, the number of drivers drivingover the legal alcohol limit accounted for only 6.8 percent of totaltraffic violations.
* Although the number of traffic accidents was reduced, the number of serious cases rose. How do you respond to this?
Ihave to concede the number of accidents has is creating great concernin society. Generally speaking, fatalities caused by buses, coaches andtrucks were reduced. But the number of accidents involving buses andcoaches or container trucks with other means of transport were on therise.
Accidents in rail transport in the first six months of 2015 were on the increase compared with the previous few years.
Inthe first five months of 2015, 22 accidents involved container trucks,of which 11 were in HCM City, two in Binh Duong, two in Dong Nai, threein Ba Ria - Vung Tau. Meanwhile, in Hai Phong, the second busiest portafter HCM City, the number of accidents caused by container trucks wasonly two.
* Does the NTSC have any plan to curb accidents caused by transport vehicles, particularly container trucks?
Inthe remaining six months of 2015, we plan to step up inspections ontransport vehicles nation-wide, particularly on overloaded trucks.
We'llask all transport companies to submit black-boxes recording vehicletrips for the previous month for checking. Data from these black boxeswill help us check whether these companies comply with the laws or not.
Meanwhile,we're determined to bring law and order to the transport sector,including road, rail and sea. Hopefully, through the restructuring ofthe transport sector, it will become healthy balance of road, rail andsea.
* Will you tell us about the transport safety plan for the remainder of 2015?
Themost important activity of the NTSC in this period is to tighten thetransport business. As we all know, damage and losses caused by trafficaccidents have become a nightmare to many people and society as a whole.
This is why, for two consecutive years, the NTSC has focusedefforts on controlling the transport business and overloaded vehicles.
Inaddition, safety transport corridor will receive attention from theNTSC to ensure transport safety when our transport infrastructure havebeen up-graded.
Last but not least, communication and raisingpeople's awareness about transport safety will further be promoted. Weconsider this a very important component in transport safety.-VNA
