A traffic accident in Kiên Giang Province. In the first seven months of 2024, Kiên Giang reported fewer traffic deaths year-on-year. — Photo congly.vn

KIÊN GIANG — The southern province of Kiên Giang has reported fewer traffic deaths this year, but potholed roads and encroachment by street vendors mean the number of accidents and injuries have risen.

According to the provincial Traffic Safety Committee, the efforts by relevant agencies and local authorities have ensured traffic safety and order, reducing accident-related deaths significantly compared to the same period in 2023.

Nevertheless, certain locations have seen a rise in accidents, deaths and injuries, it said, describing them as “black spots.”

National Highway No. 80, a crucial route connecting the province with the Hà Tiên and Giang Thành border gates with Cambodia, is often congested.

Many people living along it in Hòn Đất District’s Linh Huỳnh and Bình Giang communes said there are frequent accidents in the highway, including between trucks and motorbikes, and they result in casualties.

Nguyễn Minh Hạo of Bình Giang Commune said the highway is quite narrow at only around six meters wide in some places but handles a large volume of cars, buses, trucks, especially container trucks and other heavy vehicles.

This causes it to deteriorate frequently, creating potholes that pose a danger to drivers, he said.

Vietnam News Agency found that the Rạch Sỏi bypass through the Thạnh Lộc Industrial Park in Châu Thành District is seeing increased encroachment by street vendors, compromising traffic safety.

Trần Quốc Huy, of Rạch Sỏi Ward in Rạch Giá City, said a 500m stretch on both sides has been taken over by vendors with food trucks, fruit stands, and tables and chairs.

The area, with its heavy traffic, is often chaotic and hazardous, he said.

This year, Kiên Giang police have patrolled waterways and roads and hauled up nearly 17,000 offenders, seizing more than 8,800 vehicles and fining 14,800 drivers.

There were 91 accidents, 18 higher year-on-year but 11 fewer deaths at 36 deaths.

The number of injuries increased from 50 to 72.

Lê Việt Bắc, director of the provincial Department of Transport and deputy head of the Traffic Safety Committee, attributed the decrease in deaths to efforts by the authorities to raise awareness and address alcohol-related violations.

Lâm Minh Thành, Chairman of the Kiên Giang People's Committee, admitted to shortcomings like slow repair and maintenance of damaged roads and lack of awareness campaigns, patrols and crackdowns on traffic violations in some areas.

He instructed the transport department to upgrade technology to monitor traffic and infrastructure. — VNS