Directive No. 12/2004/CT-TTg on Strengthening the Implementation of Traffic Order and Safety Work in 2004

 DIRECTIVE

On Strengthening the Implementation of Traffic Order and Safety Work in 2004 

After more than one year of implementing the directives and resolutions of the Party and State on traffic order and safety, relevant ministries, functional agencies, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, people's mass organizations, local party committees, and administrative authorities have focused on directing resolute and comprehensive measures, especially with significant efforts from the People's Public Security force and the transportation sector, thus initially curbing the rate of increase in traffic accidents, significantly reducing traffic congestion. Compared to 2002, while the infrastructure for transportation had not been much improved, the number of vehicles participating in traffic continued to rise, yet the number of traffic accidents in 2003 decreased by 7,762 cases (a reduction of 27.2%), resulting in 1,046 fewer deaths (a reduction of 8.1%) and 11,084 fewer injuries (a reduction of 34.8%). In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the number of frequently congested points was notably reduced; particularly during the 22nd Southeast Asian Games, there were no traffic jams at locations hosting competitions.

However, the achieved results are still not stable and consistent, the situation of traffic order and safety remains complex, the number of deaths and injuries due to traffic accidents is still large, and traffic accidents remain a pressing social issue. In February 2004, traffic accidents in 34 centrally governed cities and provinces increased in terms of both the number of incidents and the number of fatalities and injuries, including several extremely serious traffic accidents.

Fully understanding and strictly implementing the resolutions and directives of the Party and State regarding traffic order and safety work, building upon the initial achievements, the goal for 2004 must be to further reduce traffic accidents in terms of both the number of incidents and the number of fatalities and injuries compared to 2003. The Prime Minister requests:

1. The Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee to incorporate the opinions from the mid-term review meeting on the implementation of Resolution No. 13/2002/NQ-CP of the Government held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 8, 2004, complete the report on traffic order and safety work in 2003, and send it to relevant agencies and all localities by April 2004. Based on this report, related ministries, sectors, and localities, especially those that did not reduce the accident rate in their areas, should report to their party committees and organize mid-term reviews and assessments of the implementation of Resolution No. 13/2002/NQ-CP dated November 19, 2002, of the Government within their respective sectors and localities. Attention should be paid to avoiding attributing responsibility to external factors and instead focusing on clarifying subjective responsibilities in directing and implementing traffic safety measures in 2003. At the same time, they should concentrate on implementing the twelve specific measures outlined in the National Traffic Safety Committee's report in 2004, viewing this as a key and ongoing political task for all levels of party committees, administrative authorities, the public security sector, and the transportation sector.

2. Request all levels and sectors:

To consistently perform well in propaganda, dissemination, and education on laws to enhance the awareness of compliance with regulations on traffic order and safety among all strata of the population; consider this a fundamental and long-term measure to reduce traffic accidents and congestion and build civilized living habits.

Suggest the Vietnam Fatherland Front and people's mass organizations continue to intensify propaganda and educational activities for members and residents in each community; promote the mass movement "All Citizens Participate in Maintaining Traffic Order and Safety" through various rich and practical forms.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall take the lead in coordinating with Vietnam Television and Voice of Vietnam to direct central and local information agencies to regularly organize special programs on the dissemination of laws on traffic order and safety, commend good deeds and experiences, criticize violations of traffic order and safety, create a favorable public opinion for traffic safety measures, especially the firm actions of law enforcement forces; propaganda must be objective and aimed at reducing traffic accidents, ensuring individual safety, and benefiting society, avoiding one-sided information that is not beneficial, causing distractions, and hindering traffic safety work.

The Ministry of Education and Training shall take the lead in developing legal education programs on traffic suitable for different educational levels; guide schools to organize and mobilize students to use public transportation; limit personal motorcycles and prevent underage students from riding motorcycles to school.

3. According to their assigned functions and tasks, the Ministry of Transport and the People's Committees of centrally governed cities and provinces shall urgently complete the planning for the development of transportation infrastructure and public transport systems within their territories, accelerate the implementation of investment plans for transportation infrastructure, prioritize projects to eliminate "black spots" of traffic accidents and congestion; quickly address level crossings; develop expressway networks on routes with high traffic density, and urgently direct the construction of urban rail transit systems above ground and underground in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in accordance with approved plans.

The Ministry of Finance shall soon submit to the Government policies for developing investments in public transportation means, with priorities for regions and localities.

4. Strengthen state management in the following areas:

a) Assign the Ministry of Transport to coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security:

- In April 2004, submit to the Government for consideration to supplement and amend Decree No. 15/2003/NĐ-CP dated February 19, 2003 of the Government on administrative penalties for violations related to road traffic, to unify nationwide the strict measures that many localities have applied with good results over time, such as temporarily seizing vehicles with a time limit, marking the number of violations on driving licenses, confiscating and selling vehicles at public auction when there is illegal racing behavior...

- Take resolute and specific measures to improve the training of drivers, the examination and issuance of licenses, upgrading of driver's licenses, especially for passenger vehicle licenses, heavy trucks, taxis; take specific measures to prevent, detect, and strictly handle to eliminate the problem of drug-addicted and alcohol-addicted drivers.

- Strengthen technical safety inspection work for vehicles, develop an appropriate schedule to limit and eventually eliminate agricultural and construction vehicles, tuk-tuks, etc., and firmly prevent vehicles beyond their expiration date or not meeting safety standards from operating on roads.

- Adjust appropriately the system of speed signs, particularly on national highways, ensuring safety and normal traffic flow.

b) The People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities must focus on directing the effective implementation of road traffic safety management work. Improve the management of passenger transport, take resolute measures to eliminate the practice of "prison food," the act of extorting passengers' property, "illegal taxis and unauthorized bus stops," competing for passengers, and other evils at bus stations; take specific measures to prevent ferry accidents on rivers and railway crossings.

5. Increase patrol, supervision, and violation handling forces: this is the foremost and most effective measure in current traffic safety assurance work.

The Ministry of Public Security is responsible for taking the lead, coordinating with the Ministry of Transport, relevant agencies, and provincial People's Committees to strengthen traffic police, traffic inspectors, and volunteer youth forces to enhance patrols and inspections, promptly and resolutely handle violations on routes with high accident rates, especially national highways, particularly National Highway 1, National Highway 5, National Highway 51, etc. There must be regular patrol forces, especially during times and sections prone to accidents.

Strictly identify and penalize violations directly causing traffic accidents, such as speeding and reckless overtaking, weaving, driving without a valid license, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and must direct efforts to prevent illegal racing.

While waiting for the amendment of Decree No. 15/2003/NĐ-CP of the Government, allow the temporary seizure of violating vehicles according to the guidance of the Ministry of Public Security. For marking violations on driver's licenses, the Ministry of Public Security will coordinate with the Ministry of Transport to ensure strict and effective handling without corruption. To reduce head injuries among road users, each locality should select suitable points on certain national highways to inspect compliance with helmet-wearing regulations.

For serious traffic accidents constituting criminal offenses, they must be prosecuted before the law.

6. The National Traffic Safety Committee assigns its members to regularly inspect and urge ministries, sectors, and Chairmen of Provincial People's Committees to implement Party and State directives and resolutions on traffic safety assurance work, and quarterly compile reports to the Prime Minister on the implementation status.

Request the Ministers of Public Security, the Minister of Transport, the Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee, and the Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of relevant agencies, and Chairmen of Provincial People's Committees to be responsible for implementing this Directive.