Police officers on parade at the launching ceremony. — VNA/VNS Photo Lâm Khánh

HÀ NỘI — As congestion and traffic volume is expected to increase as the economy bounces back from the COVID-19 restrictions, authorities in Hà Nội announced on Thursday two schemes to ensure that all travel is done safely.

During the Tết (Lunar New Year) campaign, authorities will strengthen the management and control of traffic safety until February 14, as travel is expected to increase as families visit each other, or take a holiday. 

Separately to the Tết plan, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Bình Minh announced the new "Year of Traffic Safety" for 2022, while praising the results of last years action. 

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic safety last year improved across all statistics. The total number of deaths, injuries and accidents decreased sharply compared with 2020. Traffic jams were less-common.

The Permanent Deputy PM said that the good results proved that the measures taken by the Party, the Government and authorities at different levels were correct and effective.

Permanent Deputy PM Minh asked member organisations of the National Traffic Safety Committee, as well as provincial and municipal People’s Committees, to put plans in place for this next "Year of Traffic Safety".

The theme of 2022 is, “Building a safe traffic culture associated with effectively controlling COVID-19 pandemic”. 

The plan has four targets: raising people’s awareness on traffic safety; reducing the number of traffic accidents and victims by five to 10 per cent annually: remedying traffic jams on main roads and in big urban areas; and preventing the pandemic from spreading via transport activities.

“Our aim is to strengthen patrols and resolutely handle violations, especially those relating to drink-driving and those not wearing helmets, which are the two biggest causes of traffic accidents,” said Minh.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hà Nội People’s Committee Chairman Chu Ngọc Anh expressed determination in successfully meeting these goals. 

Anh asked organisations to focus management on those drink-or-drug driving, speeding, overloading their vehicles, not wearing helmets and illegally racing.

As of December 14, 2021, National Committee for Traffic Safety statistics showed there were 11,495 traffic accidents across the country, resulting in 5,799 deaths and 8,018 injuries, down 23.32 per cent, 15.55 per cent, and 28.16 per cent year-on-year, respectively.

In fact, 55 of 63 provinces and cities recorded a strong decrease in the number of fatalities due to traffic accidents compared to 2020. Notably, An Giang and Sơn La provinces reported a decrease of over 40 per cent.

Traffic police handled 2.88 million violations, giving out fines of over VNĐ2.8 trillion (US$123 million) collectively, revoking 248,6000 driving licences and sequestering 460,000 vehicles. — VNS