They also asked the agencies to strengthen the implementation of regulations about the technical safety of vehicles travelling on roads and domestic waterways.

The use of vehicles with expired registrations, self-built three-wheeler cars and mini electric vehicles that have not been verified by state agencies leads to a high risk of road accidents.

In 2015, the number of vehicles with expired registrations increased by 21,000 to touch 140,000, of which nearly 18,400 and more than 2,000 were used for transporting goods and passengers, respectively.

Therefore, the chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee asked the Viet Nam Register to identify and announce the vehicles with expired registrations and to heavily punish the violators.

Authorities have to encourage people to register their electric motorbikes before July 1.

Students at secondary schools and universities have to commit not to ride vehicles till they are old enough and get driving licences.

According to the National Traffic Safety Committee, the injuries and deaths in road accidents in the first two months of this year increased year-on-year.

Specifically, there were 1,904 road accidents nationwide from January 16 to February 15, which killed 856 people (an increase of 70 people year-on-year) and injured 1,817 (an increase of 99 people year-on-year).

In all, 1,590 people were killed and 3,367 injured in 3,618 traffic accidents in the first two months.

The police also seized 6,22,801 vehicles that violated traffic laws, and collected a total fine of VND437.5 billion (US$19.5 million), besides seizing 4,614 cars and 88,492 motorbikes and confiscating 53,187 driving licences.

Eight injured in road accident

Eight passengers were injured when a coach flipped over while travelling on the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway this morning. — Photo baomoi.vn

A coach travelling on the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway flipped over this morning, injuring eight passengers.

The coach was travelling from Lao Cai Province to Nam Dinh Province, when the accident occurred in the northern Yen Bai Province.

"The vehicle flipped because its driver lost control and crashed it into the kerb," a police official said.

Many cars and coaches have flipped on the expressway because of the rough road, he said.

The case is being investigated further. 

VNS