Nghe An adopts a new approach in handling drunk driving violations.

Take strict action.

Present at the alcohol checkpoint at Km450+600 on National Highway 1A, passing through Quan Hanh town on the afternoon of September 30th, the task force of the Traffic Police Department of the Provincial Police continuously stopped vehicles for inspection. According to observations, most drivers appeared relaxed and complied well with the traffic police's checks.

Mr. NVĐ, a resident of Nghi Kim commune, Vinh city, and a car driver, expressed his opinion: “I fully support this new approach because the inspection team, not being part of the local traffic police force, will limit interference in the process of handling violations. If the team is familiar with the area, it's difficult to avoid relationships that could affect the handling process. When the task force comes from another area, I think the authorities will be able to better implement the motto 'no forbidden zones, no exceptions'.”

According to Mr. NVĐ, checking and strictly penalizing drunk driving violations needs to be maintained regularly, before individuals become self-aware. Because allowing people who have consumed alcohol to drive is not only dangerous for themselves but also poses a threat to other road users.

After nearly two hours of conducting alcohol breath tests, the task force of the Traffic Police Department of the Provincial Police discovered six violations. Each violator offered a different excuse, such as feeling obligated to drink alcohol at a party or gathering with friends. Mr. T.D.V, driving a motorbike with license plate 37B1-97xxx, had a breath alcohol concentration of 0.075 mg/liter and explained: “I was celebrating a friend’s child’s one-month birthday, so it was hard to refuse. I didn’t drink much, only about three glasses of wine.”

In some cases, intervention is necessary, such as the case of Mr. NVD, driving a car with license plate 29A-99xxx. Immediately after stopping the vehicle, the task force announced a special alcohol test and requested the driver to comply with the regulations. However, the driver refused to comply, instead taking out his phone to call a relative and pleading with the officers to answer. But with firm resolve, the officers did not answer the phone, and ultimately Mr. NVD had to comply with the alcohol test, which showed a result of 0.25 mg/liter of breath.

Next, at noon on October 3rd, we were present with the task force at the checkpoint at Km33+100 on National Highway 46, in Nam Dan district. According to the task force, in reality, when violators know that the force is stationed there, they will try to evade them, find another route to take, not to mention that some individuals use social media to report checkpoints… Therefore, in the plan, the task force will inspect and handle violations at any point and constantly move to different inspection areas.

Operating similarly to the task force of the Ministry of Public Security, after dividing the lanes, all vehicles passing through were stopped for inspection. After two hours, the task force detected five violations. Mr. NVT, driving a motorbike with license plate 37B2-70xxx, one of the violators, said: "I drank about two glasses of beer, and thought that since it was already past noon, I wouldn't encounter traffic police, but unexpectedly, the officers were still standing there checking on the road."

According to compiled data from the Traffic Police Department of the Provincial Police, from September 30th to October 9th alone, the task force of the Provincial Police, in coordination with the police of 6 units (Nghi Loc, Quynh Luu, Hung Nguyen, Nam Dan, Yen Thanh and Thanh Chuong), focused on handling cases of alcohol in the breath of drivers participating in traffic; stopping 4,870 vehicles, thereby detecting and handling 37 cases of alcohol-related violations, including: 3 cars and 34 motorcycles; temporarily seizing 37 vehicles, and imposing fines totaling over 200 million VND.

There are no forbidden zones or exceptions.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Nam Hong, Deputy Head of the Traffic Police Department of the Provincial Police, stated that the inspection aims to raise public awareness of traffic regulations and contribute to reducing traffic accidents, including those related to alcohol consumption. Therefore, violations will be handled in accordance with the principle of "no forbidden zones, no exceptions." The inspection plan will be implemented from September 30th to October 15th, 2023. The task force, in coordination with police units and localities, will select key routes and appropriate times for patrolling and control, ensuring safe and quick inspections without causing inconvenience to road users.

For cases involving officials, civil servants, and employees who violate alcohol concentration limits, in addition to handling violations according to regulations, the traffic police will send a notification to their workplace for review and disciplinary action in accordance with Party and agency regulations, as directed in Directive 23-CT/TW dated May 25, 2023, of the Party Central Committee on strengthening the Party's leadership over traffic safety and order in the new situation, and Directive No. 10/CT-TTg of the Prime Minister on strengthening road traffic safety and order in the new situation. Most recently, there is Document No. 7995/UBND-NC dated September 21, 2023, of the People's Committee of Nghe An province on strengthening compliance with traffic safety laws for officials, Party members, civil servants, and employees.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Nam Hong, along with increased inspection efforts, the effective dissemination of information through mass media has resulted in a decrease in the number of violations compared to the past. This is one of the reasons for the reduction in traffic accidents across all three criteria. Therefore, increased inspections, in addition to forcing people to change their mindset and form the habit of "if you drink alcohol, don't drive," will also help to better implement the principle of "no forbidden zones, no exceptions," ensuring that anyone can be penalized for violating alcohol concentration limits.

In the long term, along with patrolling, monitoring, and strictly handling other violations, we will continue to direct teams, stations, and local police to inspect and handle violations related to alcohol levels on national highways, provincial roads, and all roads under local management, especially during lunchtime and evening hours, holidays, and weekends…

Inspections conducted in Nghe An province, specifically in Vinh City, Dien Chau, Hung Nguyen, and Thai Hoa town, although no specific statistics are available, show that the majority of people comply well, with very few violations. Notably, in line with the Ministry's implementation plan, the Nghe An Provincial Police also established a task force to conduct inspections in these areas. This is a new approach compared to the past and has proven effective, ensuring compliance with the directive of "no forbidden zones, no exceptions."

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thanh Hoa - Deputy Head of Department 1, Traffic Police Department, Ministry of Public Security, Team Leader of Task Force No. 5