Police check a motorcyclist's alcohol content at Hà Nội's Hàng Cót-Phan Đình Phùng intersection. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI -A number of motorists have fallen foul of strict new drink driving laws in the first few days of the year.

In just one hour on Thursday, police in Hà Nội’s Hoàn Kiếm District handed out tickets for 40 traffic violations, four of those for drinking and driving.

Nguyễn Văn Duyên, 56, a motorcyclist from Gia Lâm District, was fined VNĐ7 million (US$302) when he was caught driving while over the legal limit.

He was also banned from the roads for 23 months.

Police in Cầu Giấy District also issued a number of tickets for similar offences.

Lieutenant Ngô Văn Tâm from Hà Nội’s Traffic Police Department said public awareness needed to be raised since the new laws came into play.

But he warned people thinking of drink driving to think again, as laws would be strictly enforced.

According to new regulations, car drivers will be fined up to VNĐ30-40 million (US$1,297-1,729) and have their driving license revoked for 22-24 months if they are caught driving under the influence of alcohol.

Motorcyclists may face a VNĐ6-8 million (US$259-346) fine and have their driving licence revoked for 22-24 months for the same offence. VNS