Forgetting Resolution 88/NQ-CP...?!

(Baonghean) - Government Resolution 88/NQ-CP, issued on August 24, 2011, aims to strengthen key measures to ensure traffic safety and order. A significant portion of Resolution 88/NQ-CP is dedicated to directing efforts to prevent, combat, and control the use of alcohol by drivers of motor vehicles.

To prevent, combat, and control the use of alcohol by drivers of motor vehicles, the Government has directed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the Ministry of Information and Communications, to issue regulations on the management of alcohol advertising, requiring that it include warnings about the harmful effects of alcohol abuse on health and the risk of accidents while driving. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsible for issuing regulations requiring: Businesses and establishments producing and importing alcohol must include warnings on product packaging about the harmful effects of alcohol abuse. Food service establishments, bus stations, and rest stops are prohibited from selling alcohol to drivers... Each relevant ministry and sector has been assigned specific and clear tasks, thereby demonstrating the Government's strong determination to prevent and control the use of alcohol by drivers of motor vehicles to ensure road traffic safety.

However, nearly two years after Resolution 88/NQ-CP was issued, how many advertisements for alcoholic beverages on the media have included warnings about the harmful effects of alcohol abuse on users' health and the risk of traffic accidents? Have any businesses, manufacturers, or importers of alcoholic beverages included warnings on their packaging about the dangers of alcohol abuse? Have any food service establishments, bus stations, or rest stops refused to sell alcohol to drivers?

In Nghe An, especially in Vinh City, key areas with high traffic volume such as intersections, schools, markets, and around offices are often crowded with bars and pubs. During peak hours, cars and motorbikes line up two or three abreast in front of these establishments, creating a very disorderly scene. There are numerous beer advertisements on various media, including large billboards, flyers, and posters, which, besides mentioning the brand name and address, often include phrases like "sweet flavor" and "delicious and alluring," but there are no warnings...

Recently, during a meeting with the National Traffic Safety Committee (on May 16th) regarding the issue of alcohol use while driving, only one traffic accident in Nghe An province from the beginning of 2013 to the present has been identified as being caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol; the total number of alcohol-related violations processed accounts for approximately 3% of the total traffic violations. And, although aware of the difficulties Nghe An faces in handling alcohol-related violations, the National Traffic Safety Committee was still surprised by this figure. According to Mr. Nguyen Trong Thai, Chief of the Office of the National Traffic Safety Committee, in the localities surveyed by the Committee, the number of traffic accidents caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol accounts for about 20-30%...

Frankly speaking, traffic accidents caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol are numerous and have been extremely tragic. Therefore, all levels and sectors should examine what concrete actions have been taken to prevent this disaster. And, they should review how the implementation of Resolution 88/NQ-CP has been carried out!

Nhat Lan