The recent incident where a luxury car collided with a parked passenger bus, resulting in one fatality, has once again shocked and saddened the public. Regardless of who is ultimately responsible, the loss is real, and it is even more disheartening that similar traffic accidents have occurred with alarming frequency over many years.
We have heard of accidents caused by speeding, lack of observation, illegal parking, poor driving skills during incidents, or even simple seconds-long carelessness. Clearly, traffic issues in Vietnam are not solely due to infrastructure but also the limited awareness of a significant portion of road users. It is noteworthy that many accidents do not stem from overly complex or unavoidable situations. They occur because negligence has become a habit: rushing and disregarding regulations, arbitrary control of large vehicles, the mindset of "a little faster won't hurt", or even the belief that accidents only happen to others, not oneself.
When a high-speed passenger car fails to observe carefully, or a bus stops unsafely by the roadside, just a moment of distraction can cost lives. Although Vietnam's traffic accident fatality rate has decreased, it remains among the highest in the region. Crowded roads, weaving motorbikes, and speeding, reckless oto have become such familiar sights that many consider them "normal". However, accidents are never normal, and accepting dangerous behaviors as part of daily traffic life only keeps us stagnant in our journey to becoming a nation with a civilized traffic culture.
To minimize tragic accidents like the recent luxury car collision with a bus, the most crucial factor lies not only in perfecting the legal system but also in a profound shift in each individual's traffic awareness. Vietnamese people must ask themselves: do we truly respect traffic laws? Do we drive with focus and responsibility, or merely with a reactive mindset? Do we park legally, stay in our lanes, control our speed, or still act arbitrarily?
To change this situation, a synchronized system of solutions is essential. First, everyone needs to raise their awareness of traffic law compliance, as awareness is the most important foundation. If a driver understands that saving a few minutes is not worth a human life, they will know to ease off the accelerator. If a bus driver understands that illegal roadside parking can endanger dozens of people, they will carefully consider each stop. Human lives must be prioritized, and only when each individual clearly understands this can accidents decrease.
Alongside individual awareness, equipping drivers with safe driving skills needs greater emphasis than ever. Many drivers currently only meet the criteria to "know how to drive" but completely lack skills for handling dangerous situations, night observation, highway driving, or adverse weather conditions. Driver training in Vietnam needs substantial improvement, with more practical experience and closer adherence to real-life scenarios. Countries with low accident rates often have rigorous driver training programs, some lasting many years. This is something Vietnam can certainly learn from.
Furthermore, modern traffic monitoring technologies such as automated enforcement cameras, speed warning systems, automatic braking, and lane keeping should be more widely implemented. It is undeniable that technology can save lives when human error occurs. Installing more cameras, upgrading national highway lighting, improving signage, and clearly painting road markings will also significantly reduce accident risks.
Moreover, communication about traffic culture needs to be strengthened. Instead of merely campaigning, real-life stories and lessons from tragic accidents should be brought closer to the community. When people witness the severe consequences of accidents, they will more deeply appreciate the value of obeying regulations.
Finally, laws must be strictly enforced. No traffic culture can develop if violations are not thoroughly addressed. When offenders perceive penalties as sufficiently deterrent, they will think twice before reckless overtaking or haphazard parking. A safe society cannot be built on leniency towards behaviors that endanger the community. Traffic accidents are not inevitable, nor are they fate. We can change, we can absolutely reduce needless deaths if each person begins by changing themselves. The recent luxury car collision with a bus is a painful but necessary wake-up call. If we view it as a lesson for self-correction and for building a more civilized traffic culture, then this suffering will at least not be in vain.
Reader Thu Sang
