VietNamNet Bridge – There were 167 road traffic accidents in Vietnam killing 137 people, injuring 148 others in the first four days of the lunar New Year of the dragon (between 29th of the last lunar month and the third day of the first lunar month).

An accident in Binh Duong Province killing the driver on January 24. (Photo: Tuoi Tre)
The information was released by the National Road-railway Traffic Police Department.

On average, 42 accidents occurred per day killing 34.

But the figures are lower than Tet last year. It is down by 33 accidents, down by 10 fatalities and 53 injuries, says the department.

The department has warned that traffic will get thicker especially on 28 January when people will flock to major cities to resume work from their hometowns.

It has instructed local police forces to step up inspection and patrol to prevent violations to reduce predicted jams.

In other traffic news, police in Thanh Hoa Province say they have resumed the controversial use of fish nets to catch illegal motorbike racers and speeding motorists during this 2012 lunar New Year.

VietNamNet/Tuoi Tre