Several localities across the country held a ceremony last night to commemorate victims of traffic accidents and enhance public awareness on traffic safety.
Commemorating traffic accident victims in Hanoi
The event, held in Hanoi, drew the participation of Deputy Prime Minister cum Vice Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and Minister of Transport cum Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee Dinh La Thang.
Speaking at the ceremony, Phuc said, “Traffic accidents have devastating consequences on individuals, their families, the community and on Sate agencies that are responsible for managing the issue."
He called on state agencies, localities and the people to make efforts to ensure traffic safety to prevent their aftermath.
Currently Vietnam ranks the 11th in the world in the number of traffic accident fatalities. On average, around 30 people in the country die of traffic accident every day.
The event was divided into two parts: one to review consequences of traffic accidents and another for those who have lost loved ones in accidents, asking them to help spread the message.
A similar ceremony in Can Tho City attracted the participation of Nguyen Thanh Son, Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, Chairman of the city’s government and head of the municipal Traffic Safety Department, along with several local officials.
According to Son, Can Tho reported a total of 15,000 traffic accidents with at least 1,500 fatalities, 1,000 injuries and damages of hundreds of billions of dong over the last decade.
A total of 192 candles were lit on that night in remembrance of the 192 people in the city who died of traffic accidents last year.
Another such ceremony was held in Buon Ma Thuot City, of Dak Lak Province. Statistics there showed that traffic accidents have claimed 255 lives and left 586 injured since the beginning of this year.
On the occasion, the provincial Traffic Safety Department granted 30 gifts worth VND60 million ̣(USD2,876) to families of the victims of fatal accidents.
In Danang City the municipal government, in coordination with the city’s Traffic Safety Department floated 1,000 flower garlands and coloured lanterns along Han River to commemorate traffic accident victims.
Danang has recorded 118 traffic accidents so far this year, leaving 90 dead and 77 injured.
The central province of Binh Dinh also participated. Binh Dinh witnesses nearly 300 traffic-related deaths per year.
Speaking at the ceremony in Hue City, Professor and Dr. Bui Duc Phu, Director of Hue Central Hospital, said that most of traffic accident victims had been intoxicated while driving.
The ceremony impresses attendees
The event held to raise awareness
A traffic accident victim shares her unfortunate experience
Serious consequences of traffic accidents
Ceremony in Can Tho
Buddhist monks help with a requiem
Ceremony in Dak Lak
Nguyen Thi Mai bursts into tears when recalling her only daughter’s accident
1,000 flower garlands and coloured lanterns floated along Han River in Danang City
Binh Dinh provincial officials commemorate traffic accident victims
Granting gifts to victims' families
Ceremony in Hue
Thua Thien Hue provincial officials commemorate traffic accident victims
