HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội traffic police will not overlook violations made by any public servants, police officers or journalists, said Colonel Đào Vịnh Thắng, head of Hà Nội Traffic Police Department.

This is a key task to ensure traffic order during the months prior to Tết (Lunar New Year festival).

Many of those caught violating traffic laws attempt to lean on acquaintances in the police department, in an attempt to avoid paying the penalty for their crimes.

The city’s police will report these cases to the Minister of Public Security or office of police officers who interfere, and record their phone number to track personal identities, Thắng said.

“Heads of traffic police teams are not allowed to pick up calls asking for special treatment,” Thắng said.

An officer from Hà Nội’s traffic police team 2 said that traffic officers found many public servants and even police officers violating rules, for example, failing to wear helmets, jumping traffic lights or having alcohol levels exceeding the permitted amount.

To ask for forgiveness, they call their bosses for help. Some drunk officers even threaten police officers with aggressive words and behaviour.

After the “interference”, police officers not only in Hà Nội but also neighboring provinces and cities often impose minor fines on major violations. For example, those who jump yellow or red traffic lights are fined for not wearing their seat belt, the Tiền Phong (Vanguard) newspaper reported.

An official from the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security told the Tiền Phong newspaper that they stopped seven cars in a day for speeding. Three of them belonged to police officers, and another three to journalists.

“Imposing penalties on police officers, reporters and journalists is not easy. They often blame their violations on being in a rush to take on public duty or a business trip,” he said.

“Police officers or journalists who commit violations will have to pay for their traffic tickets or be subjected to penalties without reprieve. The punishment is conducted in the spirit of respecting laws and law equality among all citizens,” Colonel Thắng said.

Police officers must neither tolerate violators nor impose minor fines on major offences. Those breaking the rules will be punished, he said. — VNS