The National Traffic Safety Committee said that the number of accidents reported and people injured from February 15 to 19 were fewer by 14 and 76 respectively, compared with the same period last year. However, the number of deaths was 29 higher than the same period last year.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year yesterday, there were 50 accidents, which killed 19 people and injured 53. Police nationwide checked and fined more than 4,400 cases of traffic violations yesterday. Fines amounting to VND1.5 billion (US$71,500) were sent to the State Budget. The police detained 66 cars and 879 motorbikes, and seized 136 driving licences.