Back Stories » Vietnam » On Vietnam's Roads, One Death Every Hour

On Vietnam's Roads, One Death Every Hour

Every hour, someone dies in a traffic accident in Vietnam.

This was the statistic released by Vietnam's National Traffic Safety Committee late last week, according to Thanh Nien. Over the past three months, the death toll has risen to 2,193 people nationwide.

But here's the kicker: that number is actually 6.5% less than last year.

Apart from traffic fatalities, an additional 4,522 others were injured in nearly 5,000 collisions between December 16, 2015 and March 15, 2016. Police recorded over one million violations during this time, primarily related to drunk driving, running red lights, driving in the wrong lane and driving without a helmet. Traffic authorities also collected VND600 billion (US$27 million) in fines for such infractions.

As the number of vehicles on Vietnamese roads increases – Saigon alone registers 900 new vehicles everyday – so, too, do the country's number of less-experienced drivers at the wheel. Though Vietnam's number of traffic fatalities seems to have decreased compared to the same period last year, we're keen to see that figure continue to shrink in future.

[Photo via VTC]


Related Articles:

[Video] 11 Injured After Car Crashes Into Crowd at Tan Son Nhat

Saigon Registers 900 New Vehicles Everyday

[Video] Car Careens Through D3 Intersection, Hits 3, Bursts Into Flames


Related Articles

in Vietnam

$14 Million Approved For Restoration Of Hanoi’s 112-Year-Old Long Biên Bridge

The fate of one of Vietnam’s most beloved and storied structures took another positive turn last week when the government approved a $14 million restoration package for Long Biên Bridge.

in Vietnam

'Amazing Race Vietnam' Apologizes for Challenge Harming Coral Reef

An underwater challenge during this year’s installment of The Amazing Race Vietnam is not sitting well with environmentalists.

in Vietnam

'Engaging With Vietnam' Conference Ruminates on Heritage in Huế

“Living with Heritage, (Re)Creating Heritage: Vietnam and the World” is the title of the 14th Engaging with Vietnam conference, a series of activities including academic panel discussions, keynote tal...

in Vietnam

1.2m Vietnamese Move to Cities a Year: Report

Up to 1.2 million Vietnamese migrate to cities each year, according to a recent report.

in Vietnam

10 Beautiful Photos of Sapa's Majestic Snow

Last weekend's snowstorm in Sapa drew photographers from all over northern Vietnam who jumped at the opportunity to capture some great photos of the town's snow-covered hills, roads and residents.&nbs...

in Vietnam

10 Killed, Over 30 Missing in Central and Northern Vietnam as Storm Son-Tinh Brings Flash Floods

Heavy rains from storm Son-Tinh, which eventually weakened to a tropical depression, have caused flash floods and fatalities in central Vietnam.

Partner Content