Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh (C) chairs the national teleconference to review traffic order and safety in 2021 and to discuss tasks for 2022, Ha Noi, January 6, 2022 - Photo: VGP

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh made the above statement on Thursday while addressing the national conference to review traffic order and safety in 2021 and to discuss tasks for 2022.

Pham also urged the ministry to step up construction progress of key transport projects, particularly the North-South Expressway, and tighten management of quality of vehicles.

He ordered strict penalties for those using alcohol or not wearing helmet when driving as they are main causes of traffic accidents during public holidays.

As of December 14, 2021, there were 11,495 traffic accidents nationwide, killing 5,799 people and injuring 8,018 others, down 23.32 percent, 15.55 percent, and 28.16 percent year-on-year, respectively, according to the National Committee for Traffic Safety.

As many as 55 provinces and centrally-run cities recorded a remarkable decrease in the number of fatalities due to traffic accidents compared to 2020 while An Giang and Son La provinces reported a decrease of over 40 percent.

Traffic police had handled 2.88 million violation cases, giving out fines of over 2.8 trillion VND (123 million USD), revoking 248,6000 driving licenses and sequestering 460,000 vehicles./.