Deputy Prime Minister directs to reduce traffic accidents and relieve congestion after Tet holiday

The dispatch clearly stated that implementing the direction of the Prime Minister, with the drastic participation of ministries, branches and localities, the traffic safety situation after 5 days of the Lunar New Year holiday 2020 was basically well ensured, the number of hospitalizations due to traffic accidents decreased by over 15% compared to the same period (according to the Ministry of Health).

Traffic congestion after Tet holiday is a concern for many people when returning to the city. Illustrative photo

However, the number of deaths due to traffic accidents in 5 days increased compared to the same period in 2019. Some typical traffic accidents include: A particularly serious traffic accident in EaKar district, Dak Lak, which killed 3 people (due to alcohol concentration violations); a self-rowed kayak capsized in Quang Ninh, which killed 1 foreign tourist; a passenger bus capsized in Phu Yen, injuring many people.

To ensure traffic safety and order in the remaining days, especially to ensure the safety of people returning to the city after the Tet holiday, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee Truong Hoa Binh requested ministries, branches and People's Committees of localities to mobilize the maximum police force, with the core being the traffic police, to increase patrols, control and strictly handle violations.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested that forces must arrange patrols and handle violations on both district and inter-commune roads; focus on strictly handling violations of alcohol concentration, speed; not wearing helmets when riding motorbikes, electric bicycles; stopping to pick up and drop off passengers in violation of regulations.

Have a plan to regulate and separate traffic from a distance, promptly announce information on mass media so that people know, especially on key traffic routes leading to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other major cities.

The transport sector maintains the quality of transport services, ensures safe and smooth traffic for people returning to work; promptly handles and resolves incidents and traffic accidents, and prevents prolonged traffic congestion.

In particular, the transport sector must require BOT units and enterprises to release toll stations for vehicles to circulate when there is prolonged traffic congestion at toll stations, and strictly punish units that deliberately violate the regulations.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested that the authorities direct the media to actively propagate traffic safety regulations: do not drive after drinking alcohol; do not speed or overtake recklessly; do not carry more people than the prescribed number; wear helmets when riding motorbikes, scooters, and electric bicycles; wear life jackets or carry life-saving equipment when using water vehicles; observe safety when crossing railways; absolutely do not get on a vehicle or ferry when there are no seats as prescribed.

Medical facilities are assigned to strengthen the treatment of accident victims, especially traffic accident victims; check alcohol and drug levels of all traffic accident victims admitted to the emergency room.

Regarding the traffic safety situation, the Office of the National Traffic Safety Committee said that according to the report of the Traffic Police Department, on January 27, the third day of Tet (from 2:00 p.m. on January 26 to 10:00 a.m. on January 27), there were 33 traffic accidents nationwide, killing 19 people and injuring 43 people. Compared to the same period of the 2019 Lunar New Year, traffic accidents increased by 1 case (+3.1%), 3 deaths (+18.7%) and 3 injuries (+7.5%).

Thus, after 5 days of Tet holiday (from January 23 to 27), there were 138 traffic accidents nationwide, killing 102 people and injuring 108 people. Compared to the same period in 2019, the number of traffic accidents decreased by 13 cases (down 8.6%); increased by 12 deaths (up 13.3%); decreased by 32 injuries (down 22.8%).

After 5 days of Tet holiday, traffic accidents related to alcohol concentration in particular decreased significantly compared to previous years. The Ministry of Health's report said that the number of emergency cases due to traffic accidents decreased by over 15%, and on the 3rd day of Tet alone, it decreased by nearly 28%.

The National Traffic Safety Committee is requesting the competent authorities of the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Health to analyze and evaluate the causes of traffic accidents and the reasons for the sudden increase in traffic accidents during the above mentioned days, and update them in the following reports, to serve as a basis for timely solutions in the coming time.