Rising road toll prompts action

An accident causes a holdup in early morning traffic in Tan An City, southern Long An Province. In the first six months of this year, there was a 6 per cent increase in traffic accident deaths compared to the same period last year. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Binh

In the first six months of this year, there was a six per cent increase in traffic accident deaths compared to the same period last year, although the number of accidents was going down and drastic measures were being taken.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has urged authorities to adopt even stronger measures to curb the problem.

According to Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang, most deaths were caused by accidents involving coaches and trucks.

Further analysis showed that the direct causes of the accidents were speeding and driving in the wrong lane.

Chairman of the Viet Nam Automobile Transportation Association Nguyen Van Thanh said that many transport firms had left maintenance entirely to the drivers, who – on the other hand – had received no financial and spiritual support from their bosses.

Director of Hai Phong's Transport Department Dam Xuan Luy acknowledged the shortcomings in State management of transportation. He said that 90 per cent of the 13,000 transport firms in the city did not have business licences.

Luy also said 97 per cent of traffic accidents in the city occurred on the roads.

Thang said that ensuring traffic inspectors carried out their roles thoroughly would minimise traffic accidents.

Chairwoman of southern Tay Ninh Province's People's Committee Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy reported that following public complaints about vehicle inspections, provincial leaders had set up a special team to monitor the issue.

It found that some patrol policemen had ignored violations, leading to the suspension of 21 officers this year.

Head of the Road and Rail Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security Nguyen Van Tuyen admitted that malpractice was occurring, but when detected, was being seriously dealt with.

Deputy chairman of the National Committee for Traffic Safety Nguyen Hoanng Hiep suggested focusing on the performance of the police and trying to stop drivers from speeding.

Minister Thang said teams would be dispatched to provincial and municipal transport departments to check on management procedures, starting with northern Hai Phong City.

He also said that the ministry would submit a modified decree to the Government this year outlining the conditions for trading in road transport to replace two documents that have been in place since 2009 and 2012.

The ministry will also issue a circular that requires drivers to undergo health checks directly before they take their driving tests.

Deputy PM Phuc ordered ministries, agencies and local leaders to work out an action plan with specific measures to be executed in the next six months.

He also instructed the transport ministry to apply modern technology such as the installation of black boxes for coaches and buses and cameras along national highways.