Road toll reaches 1,200 by October

HCM City (VNA) - A fall in the number of traffic accidents in Hanoi
and Ho Chi Minh City during the past 10 months did not stop the death
toll in both cities from totalling more than 1,200.

About 800 people died and 300 were injured in 932 traffic accidents in
HCM City , traffic safety figures show.

The number of accidents fell 16 percent against the same 10-month period
last year.

HCM City Traffic Police fined more than 1 million cases of infringements,
collecting a total of 160 billion VND (10 million USD).

Major traffic jams totaled 40, or 17 more than last year.

Too many vehicles and too few traffic police explain the jams.

HCM City Traffic Police deputy chief Vo Van Van warned that all
pedestrians who violate the road law, including crossing outside prescribed
zones and ignoring protective pavement railings, would be punished.

In Hanoi , 450 people were killed and 440 injured in 720 accidents,
reported city traffic safety department official Pham Dinh Phong.

The number of traffic accidents in the city fell 14 percent and the death
toll by 13 percent.

Hanoi traffic police have increased patrols and launched programmes
to enhance the public awareness about the need for traffic safety in a bid
to reduce accidents.
Seventy two people were killed and 75 injured in 70 accidents during
September - 13 accidents less than in August.-Enditem