Cops to get tough on drunk drivers - Social Issues

Updated

September, 26 2012 10:14:53

Cops to get tough on drunk drivers

Traffic police test a driver's blood-alcohol concentration in the northern mountain province of Lao Cai. Drunk drivers will face harsher fines in a new crackdown. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Ha

HA NOI (VNS)— The Government has outlined much harsher penalties for those caught drink driving or speeding, as it prepares to get tough on traffic violators.

As part of the crackdown, which starts in November, penalties for severe offences will increase by up to 2.5 times compared to existing levels, according to the latest Government decree.

Fines incurred by drunk drivers will increase the most – particularly for drivers found to have a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 80mg per 100ml or breath alcohol concentration exceeding 0.4mg per 1l – as they will be subject to a fine ranging from VND10 to 15 million (US$476-714).

This represents a steep increase from the current range of VND4-6 million ($190-286) for an offence.

The penalties for motorbike drivers committing the same offence are from VND2 to 3 million ($95-143).

The introduction of higher penalties for drink driving, which accounts for 40 per cent of traffic accidents in Viet Nam, is welcome news for domestic traffic experts who have petitioned for tougher measures to be brought in.

Speeding fines will also be subject to a severe increase.

Automobile drivers caught driving more than 35km/h above the limit will incur fines of VND 8-10 million, compared to the current range of VND2 to 3 million ($95-143), and will have their driving licences suspended for 60 days.

Fines imposed on those caught driving more than 10 to 20km/h will range from VND2 to 3 million ($95-143).

The penalties for motorbike drivers who drive more than 20km/h above the limit increase to VND2 to 3 million up from the present fine of VND500,000 to 1 million.

Nguyen Thi Loc, a Ha Noi-based driver, said speeding was most common where national roads meet provincial roads, precipitating a sudden change of speed.

"The thing is when you are moving from national roads into the provincial roads, it is very likely that you keep driving at the same speed instead of slowing down, especially when speed limit signs are relatively obscured as they are now," she said.

Loc said it would be easier for drivers to avoid speeding if there were clear speed limit signs along the road. — VNS

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