Vietnam ramps up traffic safety training for students

Vietnam is intensifying efforts to equip students with essential traffic safety skills following concerning accident statistics. In one province, data from the first nine months of 2026 showed 484 traffic accidents, resulting in 304 deaths and 278 injuries. Notably, accidents involving teenagers and students accounted for 106 cases, causing 43 deaths and 58 injuries, representing nearly 22% of the total accidents.

Common causes of these accidents include operating vehicles without a license, lack of situational handling skills, failure to wear helmets, and parents providing motorbikes to underage children. In one specific case in Nhan Nghia commune, a mother faced criminal prosecution after allowing her underage son to operate a motorcycle, which led to a fatal accident.

To combat this, schools and local authorities are implementing various safety initiatives. Educational institutions like Le Thanh Tong High School are utilizing “Safe School Gates” models, involving student volunteers and police to manage traffic during peak hours. Other programs, such as those in Hoa Binh and Phu Tho, focus on practical training for 10th-grade students, teaching them to recognize hazards and master traffic rules through hands-on driving skill exercises and digital propaganda via social media platforms.