Deputy PM orders stricter measures to ensure road safety   A majority of violations of traffic regulations during Tet involves speeding, violation of alcohol restrictions, and driving without wearing of helmets. - VNA/VNS Photo HA NOI - Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said relevant ministries, agencies and localities should strengthen measures to ensure road safety and order after the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival. The move was made in response to the large number of traffic accidents that occurred during Tet. Nearly 17,300 people were hospitalised for injuries suffered in road accidents during three days of the Lunar New Year holiday from Saturday to Monday, a 113 per cent increase year-on-year. There were 161 road accidents across the country between Sunday and yesterday, in which 101 people died and 163 were injured, the National Traffic Safety Committee said. There were 57 road accidents, which killed 37 people and injured 65, yesterday alone. Police also recorded an increase in the number of violations of traffic regulations during the holiday. A majority of the violations involved speeding, violation of alcohol restrictions, and driving without wearing of helmets. Phuc, who is also chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee, particularly asked police forces of localities to step up inspections and to impose strict punishments on the violators. He said the traffic police, particularly in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, where large crowds of people are anticipated in the last days of Tet, should mobilise sufficient forces to ensure traffic order and road safety. Local transport departments have been instructed to join hands with the traffic police to coordinate traffic and increase inspections to ensure the quality of transport infrastructure. The media and press in localities have been asked to raise public awareness about the need to follow traffic regulations. - VNS