Drivers caught breaking traffic rules and causing serious accidents may have their driving licenses suspended for five years.

A driver is seen driving his 16-seat car through a toll gate in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee, has called for urgent solutions to ensure traffic safety amid the rise in deadly road accidents.

According to the Government’s announcement, many severe traffic accidents occurred in the early days of the current year, particularly involving trucks and passenger buses. One main reason for these accidents is poor compliance with traffic regulations among drivers and vehicle owners.

Other causes are alcohol and drug consumption and poor law enforcement.

The Government has told the Ministry of Transport to review and tighten driving training activities nationwide, with a focus on irregular training and testing centers.

Besides this, the regulation on reissuing driving licenses will also be revised, which will require a confirmation from traffic police that driving licenses are being withheld because of rule violations.

In addition, drivers with a two-year suspension or longer may have to retake a complete driving test.

The Ministry of Transport has been asked to coordinate with the Ministry of Health to carry out drug abuse checks on all drivers. Hospitals and clinics nationwide must check the drug and alcohol levels of all patients taken to hospital following traffic accidents.

According to the National Traffic Safety Committee, traffic accidents killed 8,417 people in Vietnam last year. Most accidents took place on national highways, between noon and midnight.

SGT