VietNamNet Bridge – More than 70 per cent of traffic accidents in Viet Nam involve motorbikes, according to the vice-chairman of the National Steering Committee on Traffic Safety, Khuat Viet Hung.

Motorbikes are the most popular means of transport for many Vietnamese people. However, more than 70 per cent of traffic accidents in Viet Nam involve the two-wheelers.

The vice-chairman told a press conference yesterday (Nov 13) said that better management of traffic was needed. He also admitted that many roads had been poorly built.

He was speaking about the organisation of a conference next week to promote measures to improve management.

Motorbikes are the most popular means of transport for Vietnamese because they are so cheap, flexible and mobile.

At present, they account for more than 85 per cent of the total number of vehicles operating nationwide.

Hung said that as motorbikes began to increase because of socio-economic development, the quality of a number of roads started to decline.

He admitted that many roads in Viet Nam had been built without following any standards, making it easy for accidents to happen.

Low awareness of traffic regulations, particularly in rural areas, was another reason for the high road toll.

However, he said the number of traffic police was limited, hindering traffic guidance.

The committee will organise a ceremony on November 19 to remember those killed in traffic accidents across the country.

It is aimed at sharing sympathy with families of road-accident victims and sending a clear message to all people to strictly obey traffic regulations.

A total of 18,697 traffic accidents claimed 6,758 lives and injured 17,835 others during the first nine months of the year.

Source: VNS