Serious traffic congestion occurs on the Rạch Miễu Bridge, which connects Tiền Giang and Bến Tre provinces. — VNA/VNS Photo Phúc Hậu

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam saw 71 road traffic accidents on Sunday killing 20 people and injuring 68 others, said the National Traffic Safety Committee.

Railway and waterway traffic did not see any accident.

The Ministry of Public Security reported that traffic police nationwide punished more than 14,500 people for violating traffic order and safety regulations with total administrative fines of VNĐ31.8 trillion (US$1.2 million).

Of these, 3,916 cases related to alcohol concentration, 15 ones related to drugs; 3,736 ones concerned overspeed and 165 others were overloading.

The police withdrew nearly 3,000 driving licences of different kinds, temporarily seized 158 automobiles, 5,407 motorbikes and 125 other vehicles.

On inland waterways, 146 cases were handled with total fine of VNĐ124 million ($4,800).

No violations were detected on the railway.

On Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, many gateway roads of two major cities - Hà Nội and HCM City - experienced prolonged congestion such as the Ring Road 3 and Pháp Vân-Cầu Giẽ in Hà Nội, the Long Thành-Dầu Giây Highway in HCM City.

Typically, on the road from HCM City to Đồng Nai, traffic jam lasted for more than 7km. Sometimes vehicles stopped completely, unable to move.

The National Traffic Safety Committee assessed that many agencies and businesses worked on Saturday, thus workers started their holiday from Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning causing prolonged traffic jams on a number of gateway roads.

The Traffic Police Department has maximised its force to coordinate with local police to proactively guide vehicles in gateway areas, on key highways and national highways.

Therefore, the traffic situation was quickly stabilised helping people travel smoothly and safely. — VNS