"A moment of haste can lead to a lifetime of regret."

(Baonghean) - Nghe An is the only locality in the country to have reduced traffic accidents across all three criteria for 12 consecutive years. However, currently, hundreds of people still die or are injured in traffic accidents in Nghe An every year.

"A moment of haste can lead to a lifetime of regret."

In a small house filled with the scent of incense in remembrance of the deceased, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa (born in 1975) from Hamlet 8, Hung Trung Commune (Hung Nguyen District) said: "Five years ago, my husband, Mr. Nguyen Ba Trinh, was driving a motorbike after drinking a considerable amount of alcohol. Due to losing control of his speed, he crashed into a car traveling in the same direction and died on the way to the hospital. Because of the father's death, our eldest son, after finishing junior high school, had to drop out of school to work as a construction laborer to help his mother support his two younger siblings' education. If only he had drunk less that day, this wouldn't have happened...!"

The scene of an accident.

For the past four years, Ms. Ngan Thi Quy (born in 1955), from Dong Tien village, Lang Khe commune (Con Cuong district), has been haunted by a sudden traffic accident. It was a midday in May 2011 when Ms. Quy was riding on the back of a motorbike driven by her son-in-law, returning home from Con Cuong town. At the foot of Doc Cho hill, she was hit by an oncoming vehicle that lost control. Ms. Quy fell onto the road and was run over by a truck. After months in the hospital, she had both legs amputated and became bedridden. This tragedy not only prevented her from participating in community and social activities but also turned her family life upside down. Her son-in-law, despite much encouragement from family and relatives, remains haunted and ashamed by the accident, becoming withdrawn, frequently drinking, and neglecting his household duties.

A traffic accident has left lasting pain and a constant haunting memory for Ms. Ngo Thi Tuyet Dieu, from Block 5, Con Cuong Town. In July 2013, while on her way home, Ms. Dieu was hit by a motorbike traveling in the opposite direction and illegally overtaking, suffering severe facial and jaw injuries that caused her immense difficulties. At the time of the accident, Ms. Dieu was an accountant at a primary school in the district and was about to get married. After the accident, her contract was terminated, and her wedding was postponed indefinitely. Since then, Ms. Dieu has always felt self-conscious and very reluctant to interact with others. Even now, at 32 years old, she still doesn't know when she will find her own happiness.

Be responsible when participating in traffic.

Nghe An is the only locality in the country where traffic accidents have decreased in all three criteria for 12 consecutive years. In the first 10 months of 2015 alone, the number of traffic accidents decreased by 14.4%, the number of fatalities decreased by 12.7%, and the number of injuries decreased by 5.4% compared to the same period last year. However, the number of traffic accidents, as well as the number of deaths and injuries, in the province remains high with 218 incidents, resulting in 144 deaths (accounting for 2.02% of the national total) and 172 injuries. The main causes remain driver negligence, driving in the wrong lane or section of the road, failing to control speed, and improper overtaking.

The delegation visited and presented gifts to the family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy (Tan Khanh hamlet, Nghia Khanh commune), whose husband and child died in a traffic accident.

Of the traffic accidents that occurred in the first 10 months of 2015, 46.3% involved motorcyclists and 39.6% involved cars. Currently, the number of motorized road vehicles in the province is increasing significantly. On average, 1,000 cars and nearly 10,000 motorcycles are added each month. In addition, the problem of illegal passenger transport and overloaded vehicles has not been thoroughly addressed, and traffic safety violations still occur in many areas. This truly poses a challenge for Nghe An in reducing traffic accidents.

In response to this year's "World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims," ​​the Provincial Traffic Safety Committee organized activities to raise awareness about traffic accident prevention among students; held a memorial service for victims of traffic accidents; and organized a rally to commemorate those who died in traffic accidents. In addition, messages such as: "Life is in your hands behind the wheel," "Drive with all your heart," and "Say no to alcohol and beer when driving" have gradually spread, calling on everyone to be responsible for their own lives and the lives of others when participating in traffic.

Forces deployed during the peak period to ensure traffic safety (Lunar New Year 2015). Photo: Pham Bang

Mr. Vo Minh Duc, Chief of the Provincial Traffic Safety Committee Office, stated: "Traffic participants should build a cultured traffic environment where they know how to share, yield, and abide by the law. To reduce the heartbreaking tragedies after traffic accidents, the Provincial Traffic Safety Committee has implemented many solutions to minimize traffic accidents, such as organizing widespread propaganda in various forms so that all citizens understand and correctly follow regulations when participating in traffic; addressing 'black spots' on roads where traffic accidents frequently occur; strengthening patrol, control, and violation handling; rectifying and improving the quality of training and testing for driver's licenses; tightening management of vehicle registration and inspection; and confiscating vehicles that have been banned from circulation..."

Minh Quân - Mỹ Hà