A traffic accident in Long An Province. – Photo dantri.com.vn

HÀ NỘI – Minister of Transport Nguyễn Văn Thể has issued a plan to improve traffic safety for 2019, which details measures to raise public awareness and compliance with traffic rules, among others.
The plan aims to reduce traffic accidents and related casualties by 10 percent compared to 2018.

Earlier this month, eight people died and five more were injured after a truck crashed into pedestrians on National Highway 5 in Hải Dương Province. 

To meet the targets set, the system of regulations and policies on traffic safety needs to be completed and inspections intensified to ensure effective law enforcement. 
In particular, agencies are required to enhance the effectiveness of communication work with the view to building a better understanding of road use among people from all walks of life.
The Transport Ministry also instructed a prompt review and handling of traffic accident “hotspots”, along with tightened protection of the safety corridor for roads and railways.

A safety corridor is the area in between roads or train tracks and pedestrian zones which should not be used by motorists.

The ministry will continue to implement measures to enhance quality of transport services, while accelerating the construction and upgrade of infrastructure. 
In addition, the ministry plans to promote information technology and achievements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in traffic management. It will work to improve quality in training, testing and issuing driving licences, as well as in the operation of safety management systems in civil aviation. 
According to a report by the National Committee for Traffic Safety, for a year running to November 15, 2018, a total of 18,736 traffic accidents occurred nationwide, killing 8,248 people and injuring 14,802 others. The figures represent year-on-year decreases of 6.71 percent, 0.4 percent and 13.13 percent, respectively.
Road accidents account for a high proportion, with 18,490 cases in which 8,079 people were killed and 14,732 others injured.
There were 18 localities posting increases in the number of fatalities. Among them, Kiên Giang, Hậu Giang and Bắc Giang had growth rates of more 20 percent.—VNS