Traffic accidents kill 15 on first day of Tết

HÀ NỘI — According to the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security, 21 traffic accidents occurred nationwide, causing 15 deaths and 13 injuries, on Tuesday, the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Compared to a day earlier, the figures fell by 15, 9 and 13, respectively.

Officials said the period immediately before Tết was the peak time for traffic accidents, when people from all over the country rush home to visit their families for the longest and most important festival in Việt Nam.

It is also reported that local authorities dealt with 2,300 traffic violations. This resulted in the collection of fines totalling over VNĐ1.13 billion (nearly US$49,000), and the seizure of 26 cars and 432 motorcycles. — Đạt