Transport minister issues measures to reduce traffic accidents hinh anh 1Traffic in Vietnam (Photo: VNA)
 
Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The has issued a plan on improving traffic safety for 2019, which details measures to raise public awareness and compliance with traffic rules, among others.

The plan aims to reduce traffic accidents and related casualties by 10 percent compared to 2018. The numbers of deaths and injuries caused by accidents involving motorcycles and coaches are projected to decrease by 10 percent.

To realise the targets, the system of regulations and policies on traffic safety needs to be completed and inspections intensified to ensure effective law enforcement.

In particular, competent agencies are required to enhance the effectiveness of communication work with the view to building a traffic culture among people from all walks of life.

The Transport Ministry also instructed prompt review and handling of traffic accident “hotspots”, along with tightened protection of the safety corridor for roads, railways and waterways.

The ministry will continue to implement measures to enhance quality of transport services, while accelerating the construction and upgrade of transport infrastructure.

In addition, the ministry plans to promote the application of information technology and achievements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in traffic management. It will work to improve quality in training, testing and issuing driving licences, as well as in the operation of safety management systems in civil aviation.

According to a report by the National Committee for Traffic Safety, in a year ending on November 15, 2018, a total of 18,736 traffic accidents occurred nationwide, killing 8,248 people and injuring 14,802 others. The figures represent year-on-year decreases of 6.71 percent, 0.4 percent and 13.13 percent, respectively.

Road accidents continued accounting for a high proportion, with 18,490 cases in which 8,079 people were killed and 14,732 others injured.

There were 18 localities posting increases in the number of fatalities. Among them, Kien Giang, Hau Giang and Bac Giang had growth rates of over 20 percent.-VNA 
VNA