Law

Lesson 1: Positive Changes

Legal Reporters Group • June 23, 2024 12:16

Thanks to effective public awareness campaigns, strict enforcement, and the public announcement of plans to inspect and handle drunk driving violations through mass media, the number of violators in Nghe An province has recently shown a downward trend. Notably, instead of believing that the habit of drinking alcohol is difficult to change, alcohol users have gradually formed new habits such as having family members drive them, using taxis, or employing chauffeur services…

Present at the alcohol checkpoint on Nguyen Sy Sach Street on the evening of May 28th, after directing traffic, the task force of the Traffic Police Team of Vinh City Police continuously stopped vehicles for inspection. According to observations, most drivers appeared relaxed and complied well with the traffic police's checks.

Mr. Nghiem Anh Chau, a resident of Le Loi Ward, Vinh City, and a car driver, believes that: Strict checks and penalties for drunk driving should be maintained regularly. In reality, allowing people who have consumed alcohol to drive is not only dangerous for themselves but also poses a potential traffic safety risk to other road users.

In many cases, when traffic police stop a vehicle for inspection, it's not difficult to see, when the window is lowered, that someone in the car has consumed alcohol but is not driving, while the driver is not in violation. During the inspection of the car with license plate 37K-225xx, the driver, a woman, stated: "After being fined 7 million VND and having her driver's license revoked for almost a year, now whenever we go out to eat or drink, mainly to socialize with close friends and family, my husband always asks me to drive him; we only call a taxi as a last resort. Now my husband and I have formed this habit."

After more than two hours, starting at 8 AM, the task force only detected two violations. Each violation was justified by a reason, such as a family memorial service or meeting friends and being forced to drink alcohol. Mr. N.D.A, driving a motorbike with license plate 37B2-70xxx, had a breath alcohol concentration of 0.072 mg/liter. He explained: “A long-time friend from abroad invited me to his house for dinner, so it was hard to refuse. I didn't drink much, only about three glasses of wine. When checked, my driver's license was suspended for 23 months, and I had to pay a fine of 7 million VND. For me, this is too expensive…”

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"I didn't drink much, only about three glasses of wine. When I was checked, my driver's license was suspended for 23 months, and I had to pay a fine of 7 million VND. For me, this is too high a price to pay..."

Mr. N.D.A - the motorcyclist who violated the alcohol limit.

In fact, not only in cities but also in rural and mountainous areas, since the issuance of Decree 100 with its strict penalties, the awareness of the majority of people has gradually changed, gradually forming the habit of "not driving after drinking alcohol or beer".

As a cultural officer in the remote district of Tuong Duong, Vi Hoang frequently visits the villages to meet with the local people. Previously, it was difficult to avoid being offered alcohol by the villagers, as in their belief, only honored guests were offered alcohol, and naturally, guests couldn't refuse. However, since Decree 100, combined with Directive 17 of the Provincial Party Committee, prohibiting alcohol consumption during working hours, officials like him who frequently visit the grassroots have experienced less pressure regarding this issue.

According to Mr. Hoang, people in remote areas now have a clear understanding of the main contents of Decree No. 100 on administrative penalties related to traffic safety and drunk driving, thanks to mass media. "Only during long business trips or overnight stays do people offer alcohol or beer. Because people know that driving after drinking alcohol, even a small amount, will result in heavy penalties, so they don't dare offer it..." Mr. Hoang explained.

Along with the formation of new habits, many people are now aware of and using chauffeur services after drinking alcohol. This represents a change in traffic awareness, ensuring the safety of themselves, their families, and society.

Having used the chauffeur-hailing service several times, Mr. Vo Khanh from Vinh City is very satisfied with it. Mr. Khanh said that due to the nature of his work, he often has unexpected appointments or has to entertain clients. Driving home after drinking alcohol is both dangerous and violates traffic laws, and leaving the car behind is also unsettling. Therefore, since the introduction of the chauffeur-hailing service, he has used it frequently and has not encountered any difficulties; the drivers arrive very quickly. “My habit of drinking alcohol and then driving has truly changed, as well as that of many others. Nowadays, there are many apps that allow us to find drivers to safely take both ourselves and our vehicles home,” Mr. Khanh said.

Mr. Duong Sy Dinh from Vinh City also said that after a friend introduced him to a ride-hailing app, he never drives himself home after drinking alcohol again. “Once, after entertaining clients, I was stopped by traffic police for a breathalyzer test and fined 7 million VND. Since learning about this service, I've used it regularly. The cost for each ride-hailing is 100,000 VND for a radius of less than 10 km. I find it reasonable because the driver has to come with another person on a motorbike, and after driving me, they have to return. So, I think that cost is fair, because if you're drunk and still try to drive, not to mention the fine, if you have an accident, who knows what could happen,” Mr. Dinh said.

According to our research, there are currently over 30 groups and associations in Vinh City offering driver-for-hire services. This service is a practical solution for people who have consumed alcohol while driving; users only need a few seconds to operate their phones, and after a short time, a driver will be waiting at the establishment, ready to drive them home.

Mr. Bui Quang Vinh, the founder of the Driver 76 group in Vinh City, shared: The group was established at the end of March 2023 and now has nearly 20 members, aged 35 and above. The members mainly work in agencies and businesses, participating in the group as part-time workers. They are all experienced drivers with many years of experience, capable of driving various types of vehicles, with clear backgrounds, familiar with the local roads, and do not use stimulants, alcohol, or alcoholic beverages…

Currently, information about the group is widely promoted on applications such as Zalo, Facebook, and at many restaurants in Vinh City. The cost for using Driver 76's chauffeur service is 100,000 VND per 10 km radius from the starting point; for distances exceeding 10 km, an additional 13,000 VND per kilometer is charged. For trips outside the city, the cost will be negotiated in advance with the customer.

Many bar owners and restaurant managers have partnered with services that provide drivers for customers who have consumed alcohol. This ensures both the safety of diners and peace of mind for customers when eating at the establishment. As Mr. Tran Anh Tuan, owner of HP restaurant in Quan Bau ward (Vinh City), said, strict alcohol testing, especially in the early days, directly affected the restaurant's revenue, at times causing a 30-40% drop. However, now almost everything has become more regulated.

Previously, restaurants had to devise ways to ensure customer satisfaction, such as asking customers who arrived by private vehicle if they had consumed alcohol if they wanted to leave their vehicle with the restaurant for safekeeping and transportation. These were expenses that restaurants had to factor into their costs, but in return, customers felt secure, and revenue stabilized. Now, things are simpler. We have updated and introduced our customers to about five groups offering driver services, and the feedback has been very positive.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Nam Hong, Deputy Head of the Traffic Police Department of Nghe An Provincial Police, stated: "After drinking alcohol, people proactively hiring drivers or ride-hailing services is a very conscious act for their own safety and the safety of the community. Therefore, service providers need to equip drivers with proper driving skills and conduct, contributing to building a culture of safe traffic participation. People should also note that when calling a driver service, they should call the hotline to ensure transparency and accountability, and should not flag down drivers along the road to avoid the risk of accidents, loss of property, or even death."

It is evident that the intensified public awareness campaigns, conducted through various forms and with a consistent stance of "no forbidden zones, no exceptions" in addressing drunk driving, have yielded timely results in improving traffic safety. Accordingly, along with changes in public awareness, the diversification of driver-service options has become an optimal solution, ensuring truly enjoyable celebrations without compromising personal or community safety while driving.

(To be continued)