Traffic safety programme launched

February 05, 2015 | 09:40

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The National Traffic Safety Committee signed an agreement with Viet Nam Automobile Manufacturers' Association today to help disseminate traffic safety information and establish a fund for researching motorbike traffic safety.

An accident scene between two motorbikes. The Minister of Transport has said that traffic accidents are estimated to cause a total damage of VND40 to 60 trillion ($1.8-2.8 billion) each year. — Photo conganbackan.vn

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of Transport and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Committee, Dinh La Thang said "Traffic accidents are estimated to cause a total damage of VND40 to 60 trillion ($1.8-2.8 billion) each year."

Thang asked the association to collaborate with authorised agencies to research and implement a campaign to ensure traffic safety nationwide by 2020, with a vision for 2030.

The campaign hopes to impart solutions for harmonious development among motorbikes and other vehicles, because 70 per cent of traffic accidents are caused by motorbikes, he stated.

Thang added that producers should gift at least one to two standard helmets to motorbike buyers.

"A standard helmet is one of the main factors that ensure traffic safety," he said.

Thang also directed the association to closely cooperate with the committee and compile a road map for controlling vehicle fumes.

The National Traffic Safety Committee signs an agreement with Viet Nam Automobile Manufacturers' Association to help disseminate traffic safety information and establish a fund for researching motorbike traffic safety. - VNA/VNS Photo

Minoru Kato, general director of Honda Viet Nam and president of the association, said although the association is young, it has played a positive role in building a society in Viet Nam that observes traffic safety.

Le Anh Tuan, from SYM Viet Nam, which is a member of the association, said the association had also spread knowledge about traffic safety among customers, such as instructing them on how to safely drive and how to select standard helmets.

Under the programme, the fund for researching motorcycle traffic safety, which has a budget of VND1.7 billion (US$79,600) this year, will help manufacture motorbikes that are user friendly and safe, he said.

Viet Nam now has about 43 million motorbikes.

VNS

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