Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung sent a dispatch on May 26 ordering relevant ministries and agencies to make concerted and determined efforts to reduce traffic congestion and road accidents across the country.
Mr. Dung also asked the National Committee on Transport Safety to raise the safety bar levels and find firm and effective ways to curb traffic accidents.
The number of traffic accidents in the past three years fell by 5.4 percent, the death toll dropped by 13.2 percent and injury cases reduced by 6 percent.
Although traffic accidents have decreased, violation cases have soared because more drivers are drinking alcohol and not wearing helmets while driving. There is also more encroachment on roads and railroads.
The PM applauded the 20 provinces that implemented drastic measures to avoid traffic accidents and reduce the fatality toll. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, the southern province of Dong Nai, An Giang, the northern province of Ha Nam, the central provinces of Nghe An, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and the highland provinces of Dak Nong and Dak Lak were hailed for their achievements in preventing traffic accidents.
However, the prime minister criticized the Mekong delta province of Kien Giang and the northern province of Thai Nguyen where death tolls in traffic accidents had jumped in the last three years.
