More than 8,000 people died in traffic accidents in 2017

On the morning of January 3, the Government held a national online conference to review the work of ensuring traffic order and safety in 2017 and set out the directions and tasks for 2018. Politburo member, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee Truong Hoa Binh chaired the conference.

At Nghe An bridge, the meeting was chaired by Mr. Huynh Thanh Dien - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. Also attending were leaders of the Provincial Police, Department of Transport and a number of related departments and branches.

Overview of the bridge in Nghe An. Photo: Tien Hung

According to Mr. Khuat Viet Hung - Vice Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee, in 2017, there were more than 20,000 traffic accidents nationwide, killing 8,279 people and injuring 17,040. Compared to 2016, the number of deaths due to traffic accidents decreased by 406 people, more than 1,500 accidents and more than 2,200 injuries.

Although traffic accidents in 2017 decreased in both the number of cases and casualties, Mr. Khuat Viet Hung assessed that "the situation is still complicated" and there were still particularly serious accidents.

“The management and operation at some BOT stations are still inadequate, causing frustration among some drivers and people, leading to reactions and disrupting traffic safety,” said Mr. Hung.

Leaders of Nghe An province attended the conference. Photo: Tien Hung

According to the National Traffic Safety Committee, in the past year, the situation of illegal buses and bus stations has tended to increase sharply, causing disorder and unfair competition. Overloaded vehicles and vehicles with extended cargo beds have shown signs of recurring, especially in areas with material mines and cement factories.

Illegal sand mining is complicated in many localities, causing disorder and insecurity in waterway traffic.

In addition, traffic congestion is also showing signs of increasing, especially in the two big cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The cause of this situation is mainly due to traffic accidents and increased traffic volume.

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh speaks at the conference. Photo: Hoang Thuy

According to Mr. Khuat Viet Hung, the situation of resisting traffic police in the performance of their duties has tended to increase with increasingly serious nature and level. Specifically, in the past year, there were 51 incidents nationwide, causing 3 police officers to die and 6 others to be injured. Authorities also arrested 34 people for this behavior.

Regarding the cause of these limitations, Mr. Khuat Viet Hung said that in some places, the responsibility of heads of Party committees, heads of government agencies, and functional units in ensuring traffic safety has not been properly assigned.

“There are still limitations and shortcomings in training, dissemination and enforcement of traffic laws. Black spots with potential accident risks and self-opened paths across railways have not been completely handled. The awareness of a number of traffic participants is still limited. The increase in vehicles and the level of application of science and technology in monitoring and handling violations is still limited…” - Mr. Hung stated a series of reasons leading to the complicated situation of traffic accidents.

Traffic accident situation is still complicated. Photo: Document

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh sent his condolences to the families of the victims of the serious traffic accident that occurred yesterday (January 2) in Ha Giang, killing 5 people.

"Ha Giang province and relevant authorities must urgently investigate, determine the cause, and strictly handle the violating drivers according to the law," the Deputy Prime Minister directed.

Previously, at around 3pm on January 2, a car with Ha Giang license plate was driving on the Cau Me - Ha Phuong water park dual-track, when it reached Phuong Tien commune (Ha Giang city) it suddenly crashed into a group of workers who were constructing the road. The strong crash caused 5 workers to be thrown, two died on the spot, three were taken to the emergency room and later died.

Regarding the traffic accident situation, the Deputy Prime Minister said that in 2017, the situation of security, order and traffic safety had positive changes. Traffic accidents were controlled, but there were still many potential complications and limitations.

“Some places show signs of covering up negative practices, such as in vehicle load management, traffic safety corridors…” - the Deputy Prime Minister said and said that in the near future, it is necessary to strengthen the handling of responsibilities of leaders; build criteria to evaluate the completion of tasks in traffic management of leaders….

Also at the conference, leaders of several localities, including Nghe An, spoke and made several recommendations to the Government and ministries and branches on rectifying traffic accidents and vehicle management.