PHÚ YÊN — Authorities of central Phú Yên Province have warned drivers of nine “black spots” where road accidents could occur along some national highways passing through the province, following recent inspection.

They include black spots on national highways 25, 29 and 19C, crossing Sơn Hòa, Đồng Xuân, Phú Hòa and Tây Hòa districts, which have recorded a year-on-year increase of three per cent in the number of traffic accidents over the past eight months.

The number of traffic accidents along these highways accounted for 26 per cent of the total figure of the whole province during the period.

The province reported 155 traffic accidents since the beginning of the year, killing 72 people and injuring 150 others, according to the provincial Department of Transport. 

Director of the transport department Nguyễn Thành Trí said these highway sections crossing the province showed signs of deterioration and required urgent upgradation to ensure safety of drivers.

The department proposed that the Directorate for Roads of Việt Nam promptly deal with these hot spots by installing more warning signs along roads, upgrading roads, installing speed reduction markings and expanding dangerous turns.

Initially, the department was asked to clear trees and obstacles along the roadsides hindering drivers’ visibility, install warning signs, increase inspection and supervision along these roads.

The transport ministry is considering the department’s plan to tackle these black spots and another 14 areas in the province with high risks of traffic accidents by spending an estimated VNĐ8 billion (US$356,000). — VNS