HÀ NỘI — The Directorate for Roads of Vietnam (DRVN) had asked the Vietnam Infrastructure Development and Finance Investment Joint Stock Company (VIDIFI) to conduct repairs to prevent traffic accidents on National Highway 5 ahead of the busy Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday, Vietnam Plus reported.

The VIDIFI was instructed to upgrade road markings to delineate lanes and traffic signals before Tết, which falls on February 5 this year.

The DRVN also asked the Department of Transport Safety, the Road Administration Department I and the VIDIFI to co-ordinate with transport departments and local authorities in reviewing all pedestrian bridges and report to the Ministry of Transport in February.

The Road Administration Department I was asked to work with relevant agencies to settle violations related to road safety on National Highway 5.

Earlier, Minister of Transport Nguyễn Văn Thể ordered the DRVN to review all pedestrian bridges nationwide to prevent further accidents.

The move came after a truck driver high on drugs crashed into pedestrians walking along National Highway No.5 running through Kim Lương Commune in Hải Dương Province on January 21. Eight people were killed and seven others were injured in the incident.

The deadly accident occurred just 100m from a pedestrian bridge which connects Kim Thành Commune’s villages along the highway.

The stairs leading to the bridge are located right next to the highway. To reach the staircase, pedestrians have no choice but to walk along the highway where cars travel at speeds of up to 80kph.

The section of National Highway 5 where the accident occurred runs through four villages that are home to about 4,000 people. Opposite the accident site are primary and secondary schools. Thousands of students walk on the highway to reach the bridge every day.

According to the VIDIFI, which is in charge of Highway 5’s management, there are 31 pedestrian bridges on the highway running through Hưng Yên, Hải Dương and Hải Phòng.

Hotlines on traffic safety unveiled

The National Committee for Traffic Safety (NCTS) has announced 20 hotlines to receive people’s reports and queries on traffic issues during the Tết holiday and spring festivals.

During the week-long Tết holiday from February 14 to 20 last year, traffic accidents claimed 168 lives across the country while 37,200 other people were injured, according to a report issued by the Ministry of Health. — VNS