The number of traffic accidents related to trucks has been on the rise. Lax management over road freight has been partially blamed for the problem.

The recent traffic accident in Gia Lai Province caused 13 deaths

According to Than Van Thanh, a former official from the National Traffic Safety Committee, management agencies have so far mostly focused on tightening coach operations which are often thought to be more dangerous than trucks.

However, in reality, recently, traffic accidents involving trucks are very common, particularly the serious case in Gia Lai Province which caused 13 deaths on May 7.

Thanh added that Vietnam has around a million trucks compared to 140,000 coaches of different kinds.

Coaches and their drivers have to be managed under the form of transportation co-operatives or businesses which are required to conform to operational regulations. 

Meanwhile, the truck management is much looser than coaches as in many cases, people can buy trucks. Many truck drivers are so young, inexperienced and even found to use drugs when driving.

Long-distance trucks are often operated at a very high speed, particularly those which transport construction materials. In many cases, sand, mud or construction materials from these trucks are scattered on roads.

Thanh suggested that the Ministry of Transport should early tighten control over the operation of trucks.

This year, Vietnam set a target to cut traffic accidents, deaths and injuries by up to 10% compared to 2016. Hanoi and HCM City authorities have been asked to eliminate traffic jams which last more than 30 minutes.  

dtinews