The National Traffic Safety Committee and the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) held a second forum on women and traffic safety in the central city of Da Nang on October 16.

At the event (Photo: Internet)

 Participants discussed women’s role in ensuring traffic safety and measures to reduce traffic accidents such as starting traffic safety meetings, competitions and seminars, among others.

Chief of the committee Nguyen Trong Thai said the rate of alcohol and beer use in Vietnam is alarming. Statistics show that 15 – 20 percent of traffic accidents are caused by drunk drivers.

Over the years, the VWU has regularly held seminars, forums and exchanges on traffic safety in combination with communication activities at the grassroots level.

Its chapters have raised public awareness about laws and policies to ensure traffic safety and order, and promoted the use of helmets for children.

According to the committee, the number of traffic accidents together with that of fatalities and injuries has fallen in recent years.

In the first nine months of this year, there were over 12,600 traffic accidents, down 40.28 percent annually, but killing more than 5,600 people and injuring 9,600 others.