It was announced that 2012 would be observed as "The transport safety year" at a conference organised by the National Transport Safety Committee in Hanoi on Nov. 28.

Addressing the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, also the committee's chairman, said that transport safety is a hot social topic, requiring the involvement of all sectors in settling.

"2012 should be considered a pivotal year for law and order in transport safety," Phuc emphasised.

"It is imperative to adopt integrated, comprehensive and long-term methods to reduce traffic accidents and congestion."

The deputy PM highlighted poor discipline, car registration, corruption in handling transport violations and illegal parking lots as additional elements in need of sorting out.

Phuc called on leaders from sectors and organisations nation wide to assist in raising awareness on transport safety.

Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang said that next year, the committee will focus on improving road management and inspections while stepping up law enforcement.