The number of traffic accidents, and the death toll caused by them, as well as severe traffic congestion occurring in Ho Chi Minh City over the first three months of this year have all been restricted to lower figures than last year, the municipal Department of Public Security reported at a meeting yesterday.

During the first quarter, 155 traffic accidents occurred in locations around the city, claiming 132 lives and injuring 71 others.

The figures dropped by 102 cases, 87 deceased victims, and 94 injured people, the department said at the meeting to preliminarily conclude the city’s plan to stabilize traffic order in 2012, citing its latest report.

Traffic gridlock has also been controlled, with only one snarl-up lasting more than 30 minutes, down by 13 cases compared to the same period last year, the department added.

“The main culprit of the traffic accidents is the fact that drivers have drunk alcohol before driving their vehicles,” said Nguyen Ngoc Tuong, deputy head of the municipal agency in charge of traffic safety.

“The municipal police have been equipped with 106 more breathalyzers to strengthen crackdowns on violators, which will help to reduce the number of accidents further.”

Police forces in Districts 5 and 6 and Binh Thanh have also managed to curb the phenomenon of illegal motorbike racing.

Source: Tuoi Tre