The Prime Minister has criticised 10 provinces and central cities for having reported an increase in fatalities in the first quarter from traffic accidents.
A traffic accident in HCM City
The localities include Bac Kan, Hai Phong, Phu Yen, Ca Mau, Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang, Binh Dinh, Hau Giang, Quang Ngai, and Tay Ninh.
According to data released by the Ministry of Transportation, there were 2,764 traffic accidents nationwide in first quarter, leading to 2,462 fatalities and 2,209 injuries. Compared to the same period last year, the number of accidents had decreased by 810 cases and the nation saw a decrease of 578 deaths and 725 injuries.
The ratio of traffic accidents per 10,000 road vehicles in the first quarter 2012 stood at 0.71, 0.64 deaths, and 0.54 injures, which sees a slight decrease by over 0.2 compared to the previous year.
According to the Ministry of Transportation, despite the decreases, the rate remains still high. Serious accidents continue to increase. Rail traffic accidents have declined slowly because road crossings still exist.
The most common violations of traffic laws are for not wearing helmets, using substandard helmets, drink driving, overloading, and exceeding speed limit. Traffic congestion in Hanoi and HCM City still plagues rush hours.
The Prime Minister required all Traffic Safety Committees to carry out solutions mentioned in Governmental Decree No. 88/NQ-CP released on August 24, 2011, National Traffic Safety Committee’s Traffic Safety Plan for the year of 2012, and conclusion of the latest online conference working on traffic safety management in the first quarter and making plans for the second quarter.
The Prime Minister also praised 33 localities, in which the number of accidents, injured people and fatalities had decreased in the first quarter. Nine localities saw a decrease in fatalities of over 40%, including Yen Bai, Lai Chau, Vinh Long, Kien Giang, Hoa Binh, Ben Tre, HCM City, Nghe An and Cao Bang.
