A staggering 90% of traffic-related deaths in Vietnam are linked to motorbike accidents, prompting calls for the introduction of dedicated motorbike lanes to improve road safety.

On February 12, the National Traffic Safety Committee hosted a conference on enhancing traffic safety for motorbike users.

Motorbikes remain the dominant mode of transport

Speaking at the event, Le Kim Thanh, Deputy Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee, noted that motorbikes continue to be Vietnam’s primary means of transportation. As of late 2024, approximately 77 million motorbikes were registered nationwide.

Despite ongoing infrastructure improvements, Thanh projected that motorbikes would remain widely used until at least 2030 and beyond, due to limited road networks, low personal income levels, and inadequate public transportation in many provinces. Even in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City - where infrastructure is most developed - public transit only meets 10-15% of total commuting demand.

Vietnam still has a lower road density and fewer buses per million residents compared to other Asian cities. If the current pace of road expansion and public transport development continues, it is unlikely to meet growing demand over the next decade, reinforcing the continued reliance on motorbikes.

Motorbike-related accidents: A growing crisis

Motorbikes account for 65-70% of all traffic accidents, according to statistics from relevant authorities.

Le Van Dat, from the Institute of Transport Strategy and Development, revealed that in 2023 alone, more than 90% of traffic-related deaths involved motorbike accidents.

One contributing factor is the widespread use of substandard helmets, particularly in rural areas. Even in Hanoi, 19% of motorbike riders use helmets that fail to meet safety standards.

Meanwhile, Tran Huu Minh, Chief of Staff at the National Traffic Safety Committee, highlighted common causes of motorbike accidents, including:

Failure to yield and poor lane discipline

Speeding and lack of control at intersections

Lack of situational awareness when changing directions

Inadequate training among young motorbike and electric bike users

Additionally, high school students riding electric motorbikes and e-bicycles are at high risk due to poor road awareness and insufficient traffic education.

Compounding the issue, many highways lack dedicated lanes for slow-moving vehicles, forcing motorbikes to mix with heavy traffic, further increasing accident risks.

Calls for reform: Better infrastructure, stricter training

Minh stressed that Vietnam’s driver training programs are outdated. “For years, the practical motorbike driving test has only required riders to navigate a figure-eight course. Meanwhile, real-life roads are filled with large trucks, buses, and fast-moving cars,” he remarked.

To improve motorbike safety, Minh proposed:

Updating driving tests to reflect real-world road conditions

Integrating traffic safety education into school curricula, with mandatory exams for students

Dat echoed the need for improved infrastructure, recommending the development of dedicated motorbike lanes in high-traffic areas.

“Vietnam should invest in separate motorbike lanes and expand pedestrian and bicycle-friendly infrastructure to create a safer, more balanced urban transport system,” he suggested.

Authorities are also encouraged to implement policies that promote public transport usage, reducing dependence on motorbikes over time.

N. Huyen