At the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, international delegates were astonished to learn that Vietnam has 77 million motorbikes in circulation, with over 60% of traffic accidents involving motorcycles.

During the conference, Colonel Pham Quang Huy, Deputy Director of the Traffic Police Department (Ministry of Public Security), shared Vietnam’s experience in ensuring road safety. The high number of motorcycles, he noted, presents a significant challenge in reducing traffic accidents nationwide.

Motorbike dependency and traffic safety challenges

According to Colonel Pham Quang Huy, reducing traffic accidents requires a practical approach based on real-life conditions and driving habits. He emphasized the need to shift mindsets and policies to improve road safety.

"If infrastructure is designed solely for motorcycles, it will remain limited. We must change our approach, from urban planning to public awareness and law enforcement. A comprehensive effort involving all state agencies is needed to strengthen collective action," he said.

Vietnam's traffic safety issues differ from other countries, where high vehicle speeds are the primary cause of road accidents. In Vietnam, however, six major factors contribute to traffic accidents: speeding, alcohol use, drug use, running red lights, driving against traffic flow, and other traffic violations.

A multi-agency effort for sustainable road safety

Traffic police alone cannot fully address traffic safety issues, as their role is primarily patrol and enforcement. Colonel Huy stressed that a coordinated effort involving multiple ministries is essential to long-term solutions.

The Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Information and Communications should focus on public awareness campaigns and driver education.

The Ministry of Transport must improve road infrastructure quality.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade should enforce stricter vehicle quality standards.

"Younger generations, especially students, should be the primary target for road safety education to instill responsible driving habits from an early age," he added.

Colonel Huy reaffirmed that Vietnam's Road Traffic Safety Law and related regulations align with real-world conditions. He reported that in the past year, traffic fatalities have decreased by over 2,000 deaths compared to the previous year, marking significant progress in accident reduction.

"The traffic police force operates 24/7, helping change public awareness and reducing traffic incidents, injuries, and fatalities," he stated.

Global road safety conference promotes commitments

The 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety took place in Marrakech, Morocco, from February 18 to 20. The event gathered ministers and heads of national road safety agencies, along with 1,500 experts, including representatives from the United Nations and other international organizations.

The conference honored countries with successful road safety initiatives and encouraged nations to commit to ambitious road safety improvements. The ultimate goal is to cut global road traffic fatalities by half by 2030.

Dinh Hieu