Traffic accidents cause loss of VND250-300 billion (US$11.22-13.46 million) a day in Vietnam, equivalent to 2.2-2.9 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, said deputy chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee Khuat Viet Hung, citing WHO’s reports on Sunday.
He made the statement at the launching ceremony of a program to raise public awareness of traffic law in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, which attracted 2,000 attendees.
In the first two months this year, Vietnam saw 3,618 traffic accidents reducing 489 cases over the same period last year. They killed 1,590 and injured 3,367 people, up 23 and down 398 victims respectively.
On this occasion, leaders of the National Traffic Safety Committee, other agencies and businesses gave presents to families of traffic accident victims, helmets to local residents and life jackets to students who have to go to school by boat.
