Plastic protective screen in taxi is legal: the Vietnam Register

February 20, 2019 - 16:08

After an image of a homemade plastic screen installed in a taxi was posted on social media, the Vietnam Register confirmed that such modifications were legal. However, the screen must be inspected to ensure its safety to both drivers and passengers.

A protective screen is installed on the driver’s seat to protect them from violent passengers. — Photo cungcau.vn
Viet Nam News

HÀ NỘI — After an image of a homemade plastic screen installed in a taxi was posted on social media, the Việt Nam Register confirmed that such modifications were legal. However, the screen must be inspected to ensure its safety to both drivers and passengers.

The statement was made after concerns were raised over the installation of the protective screen on the driver’s seat, which could cause structural changes to the driver’s cabin, affecting the view and driving ability of drivers and posing risks to passengers.

On January 29, a taxi driver was robbed and killed near Mỹ Đình Stadium in Hà Nội by a passenger sitting behind him.

Many taxi drivers have reportedly installed plastic protective screens in their cars as a way of protecting them from incidents such as robbery, assault and homicide.

The Việt Nam Register said under the Ministry of Transport’s Article 85 issued on October, 2014, vehicles with modifications must be tested before they can be put into use.

It proposed the ministry simplify procedures on testing protective screens for drivers who were in need, it said.

However, in terms of technical safety, it said transport enterprises and taxi drivers should carefully consider the installation of screens as they could make it difficult for drivers and passengers to escape in emergencies. — VNS

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