The traffic safety situation in Da Nang in the first half of 2022 became more complicated compared with the same period in 2021 as the city saw a signnificant increase in road traffic deaths and injuries.

Inspectors from the Da Nang Department of Transport checking observance of the Road Traffic Regulation on National Highway 14B. Photo: PHUONG UYEN

51 road traffic accidents recorded in first half

Data publised by the Da Nang Traffic Safety Committee showed that a total of 51 road traffic accidents were recorded in the city between January 1 and  June 14, killing 36 people and injuring 35 others. Hence, the Municipal Traffic Safety Committee has called on functional units to take all necessary measures to ensure traffic safety for road users and minimise traffic accident risks.

The road accidents are happening most often due to the reckless and speedy driving of the vehicles, not obeying or following traffic rules. Traffic volumes increased in the city after the COVID-19 pademic had been brought under control due to a rise in the number of people who use personal vehicles, thereby leading to risk factors for road traffic crashes and localized congestion conditions. Futhermore, the city saw an increasing number of traffic offenders who were workers, and school pupils along with college and university students. In addition, many app-based motorbike taxi drivers were detected using a hand-held mobile phone while driving or they were found running red lights.

Moreover, the lack of parking spaces for cars resulted in parking offences, especially in front of schools, that caused traffic conflicts and congestion during peak hours. Many agencies, departments, organizations across the city plus some authorities at local level might not have paid enough attention to increasing public awareness of road safety laws and persuading the public to abide by them.

The Municipal Traffic Safety Committee has urged functional forces to maximise the utilisation of resources, enhance traffic safety education and information campaigns among local residents, increase patrols and check observance of the Road Traffic Regulation in an attempt to reduce road accidents. Police officers are taking action against traffic violations. Heed has been paid to setting up checkpoints to conduct a blood alcohol test on vehicle drivers due to police officer's suspicion that they are driving drunk or handle traffic offences such as parking violations, exceeding the speed limit, disobeying a red light, careless driving, dangerous driving in order to quickly and effectively handle these violatons as well as further enhance the deterrent effect of traffic enforcement.

Stepping up patrols and checks on vehicle drivers

According to statistics released by the Da Nang Traffic Safety Committee, officers have imposed fined on 29,614 cases of traffic violations so far this year while 1,890 vehicles have been temporarily seized and traffic offenders have paid nearly VND 35 billion in fines for breaking the national traffic rules.

Colonel Phan Ngoc Truyen, the Head of the Traffic Police Divison said that traffic police officers are focussing on increasing patrols and enforce road traffic laws from June 20 through September 20 in efforts to motivate drivers to operate vehicles safely within traffic laws and regulations as well as maintain an effective and efficient flow of traffic. Strict punishments for driving offences are the key to reducing traffic accidents.

During the 3-month period, inspectors from the municipal Department of Transport are also conducting an inspection of vehicles in a bid to handle traffic violations, including overburdened or overcapacity hauling of transport vehicles. The inspections are being conducted on a section of the national highway 14B running through Da Nang, the 1A highway, the bypass in the south of Hai Van Pass, the intersections of the Da Nang - Quang Ngai Expressway,  La Son - Hoa Lien section of La Son - Tuy Loan expressway, places for loading and unloading goods such as ports, wharves, mines, and more.

High priority is given to launching road safety awareness and educational campaign among road users in order to encourage them to pay attention and be responsible on the roadways. Importance will be attached to enhancing punishment of traffic violations caught by the city’s surveillance camera system.

Mr Bui Hong Trung, the Acting Director of the Municipal Department of Transport and Deputy Head of the Municipal Traffic Safety Committee said that relevant local agencies will be asked to clearly analyze the causes of traffic accidents and propose solutions to the Municipal Traffic Safety Committee to drastically reduce traffic accidents and eliminate so-called black spots where traffic accidents occur regularly in the city.

Reporting by THANH LAN – Translating by H.L