Deaths caused by traffic accidents in 2009 fell by only 0.7 percent

Hanoi (VNA) – Deaths caused by traffic accidents in 2009 fell by only 0.7 percent compared to the previous year, far lower than the target of 5 percent.

This figure was released at the national Traffic Safety Conference, which took place
on Jan. 12 in Hanoi .

According to statisticS by the National Traffic Safety Committee, in 2009 there were
more than 12,400 traffic accidents, killing 11,516 people and injuring more than
7,900.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai asked relevant ministries to seek breakthrough
initiatives to reduce traffic accidents.

“The losses caused by traffic accidents are serious and huge. Thus, traffic safety
practices must significantly reduce the number of deaths and injuries,” he said.

He also emphasised the importance of heightening people’s awareness of traffic
laws, calling on relevant ministries to focus on communicating such laws to all
people.

The management of transport vehicles and the construction of modern transport
infrastructure were also included in the measures to ease traffic jams and prevent
accidents.

Compared to figures in 2008, the number of traffic accidents in 2009 decreased by
390, but the number of serious traffic accidents actually increased.

The main causes for serious accidents were traffic lane violations, speeding and
careless passing.

Traffic jams in Hanoi and HCM City have become a big concern for the
cities’ citizens.-Enditem