>> Hanoi urged to curb traffic congestion

>> Banning motorbikes in HCM City currently infeasible

Weak and lax management of transport issues has worsened year after year, adding to appalling traffic situation, a National Assembly official said.

Traffic congestion in Vietnam stands at alarming levels

Deputy Head of National Assembly Law Committee Le Thi Nga frankly admitted the situation at a recent working session of the NA that despite the problems, no official had offered to resign nor faced disciplinary procedures due to their inefficient performance.

According to Nga, traffic accidents and congestion had become increasingly serious, resulting in alarming consequences.

She attributed the situation firstly to people’s flagrant disregard for traffic rules. Over 80% of traffic accidents were the result of careless driving.

In order to improve their awareness, Nga suggested the application of stricter punishments, in addition to improved communication campaigns on road safety.

Traffic police and inspectors willing to accept bribes and ignore violations had added to the situation, she noted.

“Those who represent the Government in enforcing the laws and regulations do not take their responsibilities seriously, and this gives the green light for everyone to behave in such a way.”

“Weak management of traffic issues has gone on for years, becoming increasingly worse and has yet to be deal with. Several Government proposals to resolve the situation have been ignored, but no one has faced disciplinary measures,” she shared.

She said that over the past three NA terms, over 150,000 people had died due to traffic accidents, but no-one had borne any responsibility for the situation and the NA had yet to dismiss any ministers responsible.

The serious disparity between infrastructure development and the soaring number of vehicles has also been blamed for the situation. These results are the product of improper policies that have allowed an overwhelming development in the number of vehicles on the road, accompanying a serious downgrading in infrastructure, she said.

Reality starkly contradicts Government Resolution 12 that encouraged expansion of public means of transport and set to minimise the growth of motorbikes and other private vehicles in major cities of Hanoi and HCM City.

Some measures to ease traffic congestion and accidents have been implemented, including the compulsory helmet wearing regulation and the ban on three-wheeled and home-made vehicles.

However, solutions to minimise private vehicles, deal with illegal parking and common bribery in traffic regulation in Hanoi and HCM City had been unsuccessful because of their superficial implementation.

In order to improve the situation, she recommended no better method than the strict enforcement of regulations among both the people and officials.

Le Thi Nga: "Superficial implementation has seen policies remain ineffective"