Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has issued a notice calling for public order and traffic safety during the country’s upcoming holidays this month. — Photo baochinhphu.vn

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has sent a message to ministries and localities ordering them to ensure public order and traffic safety during the Reunification Day and May Day holidays.

The Prime Minister also emphasised the need for ensuring strict measures to prevent and control COVID-19.

The message was sent to the ministries of public security, transport, information and communications, the National Committee for Traffic Safety and provincial and municipal people’s committees.

In the message, PM Phúc said efforts were needed to comply with pandemic prevention regulations and ensure public transport services meet increasing demand for travel during the holidays, especially on the routes connecting Hà Nội and HCM city, tourism sites and key transit points.

This year, Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1) together with the weekend will make up a four-day holiday.

The ministries should closely manage coaches, terminals, stations and airports to reduce traffic jams, delays and illegal price hikes, the PM said.

He asked the ministries and agencies to provide information on traffic safety and accident prevention to media outlets.

The National Committee for Traffic Safety and administrations nationwide were told to instruct transport companies and drivers to obey traffic safety regulations, especially to prevent people from driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

Increased inspections should be used to strictly punish traffic regulation violators, especially those who caused traffic accidents, broke the speed limit or transported more passengers than permitted.

Traffic infrastructure would be checked, including signals, warning signs and warning equipment in places that had a high risk of accidents.

Drivers must ensure passenger safety by driving more carefully on steep roads and through level crossings, he added.

Local departments of transport were also asked to remind people of the importance of wearing helmets and obeying regulations to minimise accidents.

The Prime Minister also requested ministries and localities to enhance propagation and dissemination of traffic safety laws and COVID-19 prevention and control measures.

Hotlines to receive traffic complaints should be widely publicised, he said.

Reports on these efforts will be sent to the National Committee for Traffic Safety before 3pm on May 3 to submit to the Prime Minister. — VNS