Traffic congestion occurs along the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway on January 1, 2022. Photo: T.Quang / Tuoi Tre
Fifteen people were killed and 12 others injured in traffic accidents across Vietnam on the first day of 2022.
A total of 21 traffic crashes occurred throughout the country on Saturday, killing 15 people and injuring 12 others, according to the national committee for traffic safety.
The numbers of accidents and injured victims are similar to those recorded on the 2021 New Year’s Day, but the death toll rose by four.
Among the 21 accidents, 20 took place on the road, claiming 14 lives and injuring 12.
The remaining incident occurred along the railway, killing one person.
Traffic police in 63 provinces and cities booked 6,434 violations and handed fines worth nearly VND5.8 billion (US$253,700).
Officers also impounded 42 cars and 773 motorcycles and revoked 390 driver’s licenses.
Among the traffic offenses, 252 were driving under the influence of alcohol.
The hotline of the national committee for traffic safety received only two reports on traffic congestion at the entrances of Ho Chi Minh City.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many decided to travel by personal vehicle instead of public transport, thus bus stations and airport in the southern metropolis were much less crowded compared to the previous years, the committee assessed.
Traffic along Hanoi’s gateways were also less busy, with no serious traffic jams recorded, it added.