Memorial service for traffic accident victims held in HCMC

The memorial service for traffic accident victims in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday, November 17, 2019. Photo: VGP

This is part of a series of activities to observe the World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Road Traffic Accidents, which falls on November 17 each year.

Present at the event included Politburo member, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, Vice State President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The and more than 1,200 people.

Addressing the event, Deputy PM Binh said traffic accidents claimed more than 8,000 lives and caused more than 1,500 injures annually.

Road crashes are a leading cause of death in Viet Nam, tragically killing almost one person every hour. 

In the first nine months this year, there were 12,675 traffic accidents, killing 5,659 people and injuring 9,619 others, according to the National Committee for Traffic Safety.

The number of accidents dropped 4.28% compared to the same period last year while the number of deaths and wounded victims dipped 5.87% and 6.78% respectively.

More importantly, traffic accidents hurt thousands of families of the victims and this is unacceptable pain in peacetime, underlined Deputy PM Binh.

Traffic accidents have also negatively affected economic growth and the national image, he added.

He called on all agencies from central to local levels, organizations and individuals to strictly obey regulations on traffic regulations and join hands to build a friendly and safe traffic environment for all Vietnamese and foreign friends when they are on road.

The Government leader called on all drivers to control speed and say no to drinks while driving, tighten seat belt and wear helmets when travelling by car and motorbikes/bicycles, respectively.

Binh also took the occasion to call for sharing support and assistance for families of traffic victims./.

By Quang Minh