Nghe An: 182 people died in traffic accidents in 2019

On the morning of December 28, the Government held a national online conference to review the work of ensuring traffic order and safety (TTATGT) in 2019 and deploy directions and tasks for 2020. The conference was chaired by Comrade Truong Hoa Binh - Politburo member, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee.

At the Nghe An province bridge, Comrade Hoang Phu Hien - Director of the Department of Transport; Colonel Nguyen Duc Hai - Deputy Director of the Provincial Police Department chaired; attending were representatives of Departments, Boards, and branches who are members of the Provincial Traffic Safety Committee. Photo: D.C

In 2019, the number of deaths due to traffic accidents decreased by more than 5%

The summary report on traffic safety work in 2019 stated: In 2019, the traffic safety situation in the whole country continued to have positive changes, traffic accidents (TNGT) were reduced in all three criteria of number of cases, number of deaths and number of injuries. This is the first time since 2014 that the number of deaths due to traffic accidents has decreased by more than 5%.

Specifically, there were 17,626 traffic accidents nationwide, killing 7,624 people and injuring 13,624 people. Compared to the same period in 2018, traffic accidents decreased by 939 cases (5.06%), 587 deaths (7.15%), and 934 injuries (6.42%). Nationwide, 55 provinces and centrally-run cities had a decrease in the number of deaths due to traffic accidents compared to the same period in 2018, of which 22 localities had a decrease of over 10%.

For Nghe An, in 2019, the work of ensuring traffic safety was of concern to local Party committees and authorities. Therefore, traffic accidents continued to decrease in all 3 criteria. During the year, 294 traffic accidents occurred, killing 182 people and injuring 210 people. Compared to the same period in 2018, there were 10 fewer accidents (3.4%), 12 fewer deaths (6.6%), and 8 fewer injuries (3.8%).

Also during the past time, local traffic police forces across the country have recorded and handled 4,129,325 cases of traffic safety violations, fined 2,764 billion 355 million VND; revoked driving licenses of 342,032 cases, and temporarily detained 651,885 vehicles of all types.

The Transport Inspectorate conducted 76,223 specialized inspections, sanctioned 63,050 administrative violations with a total fine of VND588,001.24 million; detained 427 cars; suspended the operation of 250 inland waterway ports and 329 inland waterway vehicles; supervised 968 car driving tests and 599 motorcycle driving tests.

Scene of the accident between a passenger bus and a taxi that left 3 people dead and 1 injured in the early morning of October 26 in Quan Hanh town (Nghi Loc). Photo courtesy

Reduce traffic accidents on all 3 criteria

At the conference, ministries, branches, provinces and cities reported on traffic safety work of their units and localities, as well as proposed solutions for the coming time.

Concluding the conference, Comrade Truong Hoa Binh - Politburo member, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee praised the efforts of ministries, branches and localities in ensuring traffic safety in 2019.

Traffic Safety Year 2020 with the theme "If you drink alcohol, do not drive", the Deputy Prime Minister requested ministries, branches and localities to continue to promote propaganda, dissemination and education of traffic safety laws; build a civilized traffic lifestyle. In particular, it is necessary to attach the highest responsibility to the heads of agencies and units in ensuring traffic safety and reducing traffic accidents in the area.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh speaks at the conference. Photo: VGP/Le Son

Accordingly, the authorities need to coordinate closely, strengthen inspection teams, and strictly handle violations of commercial transport vehicles, violations of speed when driving, violations of helmet use, etc. In particular, violations of regulations on alcohol concentration, drugs and other stimulants for drivers participating in traffic, contributing to reducing traffic accidents on all three criteria.

The transport sector strengthens inspection and tightens discipline in training and testing, issuing driving licenses, managing technical safety and environmental protection for road motor vehicles and inland waterway vehicles; ensures the quality and progress of traffic construction projects; implements maintenance and repair, ensuring the safety of traffic infrastructure; applies information technology to traffic monitoring and management; prioritizes the use of the Road Maintenance Fund to handle black spots of traffic accidents.

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh also emphasized that ministries, branches and localities need to strictly implement the Prime Minister's dispatch on ensuring traffic safety during the peak season of New Year, Lunar New Year and Spring Festival 2020, with the goal of making it convenient and safe for people to travel and celebrate the Spring Festival.