Traffic accidents killed 826 people among the total number of 1,763 traffic accidents in a month from January 16 to February 15 this year, according to a latest report from the Ministry of Public Security.

The report showed traffic accidents injured nearly 1,500 people. Against January, the number of traffic accidents increased, leaving an additional 82 dead and 304 injured.

Traffic accidents killed 826 people among the total number of 1,763 traffic accidents in a month from January 16 to February 15 this year.

The Ministry of Public Security said that, traffic police issued VND202 billion (USD9.1 million) in fines in 306,000 cases for traffic violations over this month so far, and confiscated 55,000 vehicles.

Approximately 8,685 people lost their lives in traffic accidents across Vietnam in 2016. Up to, 71.6% of traffic accidents in 2016 were due to bad driving awareness. Around 67% of traffic accidents in the year were related to cars and motorbikes, said the National Committee for Traffic Safety.

This year, Vietnam has set a target to cut traffic accidents, deaths and injuries by up to 10% compared to 2016. Hanoi and HCM City authorities have been asked to eliminate traffic jams which last more than 30 minutes.