More than 123,000 vehicles with insufficient electronic toll collection (ETC) account balances were recorded traveling on four major expressways: Noi Bai - Lao Cai, Cau Gie - Ninh Binh, Da Nang - Quang Ngai, and Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay.

This ongoing situation is causing traffic congestion and safety concerns at toll stations, according to the Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC).

In the first quarter of this year, the four expressways under VEC's management served 18.41 million vehicles. These routes include the Noi Bai - Lao Cai, Cau Gie - Ninh Binh, Da Nang - Quang Ngai, and HCMC - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressways.

However, traffic accidents on these expressways have shown a worrying trend, increasing across all three categories: number of incidents, fatalities, and injuries. Compared to the same period last year, there were two more accidents, three more collisions, and both deaths and injuries increased by one.

Of note, except for the Da Nang - Quang Ngai route, congestion continues to occur frequently on other expressways managed by VEC during public holidays, Tet, and even weekends. The main reason is a sudden surge in vehicle volume that exceeds the designed capacity of these roads.

VEC representatives also confirmed that over 123,000 vehicles continue to travel on these expressways without sufficient funds in their ETC accounts. This has led to frequent bottlenecks and safety issues at toll booths.

VEC has issued a reminder to vehicle owners to regularly check and top up their ETC accounts before entering expressways to minimize congestion and ensure traffic safety.

N. Huyen