Every day, many people are killed and injured on our roads. Men, women or children walking, biking or riding to school or work, playing in the streets or setting out on long trips, will never return home, leaving behind shattered families and communities.
Thousands of people each year will spend long weeks in hospital after severe crashes and many will never be able to live, work or play as they used to do.
In Vietnam, during the recent four-day holiday, 58 people were killed and 64 injured in 111 road accidents nationwide, according to the Railway and Road Traffic Police Department.
Compared to the same period last year, the number of accidents, deaths and injuries reduced by 22, 21 and 12, respectively.
Of the figure, 109 accidents occurred on the roads, leaving 56 dead and 64 injured. There was one fatal accident on the railway and another fatality on the water, reported the Vietnam News.
Traffic police nationwide discovered 32,621 violations, collected nearly VNĐ32 billion (US$1.39 million) in fines, and revoked 2,320 driving licenses.
They also prevented illegal motorbike racing in several southern localities, ensuring travel safety during the holiday.
Trần Hữu Minh, Head of the office of the National Steering Committee on Traffic Safety, said traffic accidents during the holiday dropped dramatically compared to last year. Particularly, the number of deaths reduced by 26.58 per cent.
The Traffic Police Department deployed forces to ensure traffic safety and order during and after the April 30 and May 1 holidays, and the upcoming elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for the 2021-2026 tenure.
During the period from April 15-June 14, traffic safety and social order on roads, waterways and railways, will be prioritised, focusing on accident hot spots and congested areas, according Vietnam News.
Current efforts to address road safety are minimal in comparison to this growing human suffering.
To reduce deaths and injuries, protect property and contribute to sustainable development, the Government of VietNam established the National Committee on Traffic Safety in 1995. The Government has implemented more stringent measures to reduce road traffic injuries through health promotion campaigns, consolidation of the injury surveillance system, and mobilization of various sectors at all levels and the whole society.
