Another peaceful spring

(Baonghean.vn) - During the 9 days of the Lunar New Year (Year of the Goat), the entire province experienced no traffic congestion, the use of firecrackers decreased significantly, the number of traffic accidents decreased, and people celebrated the New Year joyfully and safely...

On New Year's Eve 2015 (Year of the Goat), tens of thousands of people flocked to Ho Chi Minh Square to celebrate the arrival of the new year. Following the spectacular fireworks display at the sacred moment of midnight, the area around the square unexpectedly became congested due to the large number of people and vehicles leaving the fireworks display area. At this time, traffic police officers from Vinh City and the provincial police were deployed to manage traffic flow. Despite the rain, cold wind, and blaring car horns, the police officers diligently and calmly directed the flow of people through the intersections around Ho Tung Mau, Truong Thi, Le Hong Phong, Nguyen Van Cu, and Lenin Boulevard... Thanks to the scientific approach in traffic management, the skillful, flexible, and decisive handling of traffic violations, the congestion only lasted a few minutes.

Traffic police directed traffic to prevent congestion on New Year's Eve.

The New Year's Eve countdown has passed, and while everyone is celebrating with their families in moments of reunion, the police officers have only completed a part of their New Year's Eve duties. Because the officers must continue implementing the plan to prevent firecrackers from exploding on New Year's Eve and during the Tet holiday, many police officers from various wards in Vinh City have been ordered to reinforce and support cross-patrol teams in areas considered hotspots for firecracker use on New Year's Eve every year, such as Nghi Phu, Hung Loc, and Nghi An.

With the firm goal of minimizing illegal firework use during Tet (Lunar New Year), the city's police force deployed to all hotspots to intensify firework control. In particular, nearly 300 officers from the provincial police force joined the effort, participating in cross-patrols to promptly detect and prevent firework use. The peak period was identified as New Year's Eve. Recognizing this, the Nghe An Provincial Police established 5 inspection teams, and the Vinh City Police established 18 task forces to handle and guide the prevention and control of fireworks-related violations. As a result, the use of fireworks on New Year's Eve and during Tet significantly decreased. Many previously hotspots are now truly peaceful.

Police forces ensured security and order during the New Year's Eve fireworks display.

On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, we were again present at Ho Chi Minh Square and other streets in Vinh City to capture the tranquil images of the city on the first day of the year after a long year of hustle and bustle. Surprisingly, traffic police officers were also present, deploying their forces at the intersection of Ho Tung Mau and Truong Thi streets to maintain traffic safety and order. With smiles on their faces, the officers were very friendly, wishing passersby a Happy New Year and reminding everyone to obey traffic laws. The image of these police officers in yellow uniforms and white gloves, always smiling, has become a beautiful sight on the city's streets during the spring festival.

Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Duy Ha, Head of the Vinh City Traffic Police Team, said that a new feature in ensuring traffic safety and preventing congestion on roads during Tet this year is the coordinated effort of traffic police, public order and security officers, and criminal investigators working together at congestion hotspots such as the flower market, Lenin Boulevard, the Customs roundabout, Vinh Market, Vinh Train Station Market, and the Vinh Airport intersection… to manage traffic flow and prevent localized congestion. From the 26th day of the lunar month, reinforced forces from the provincial and Vinh City police were present at all intersections in Vinh City to manage traffic flow as directed by the Provincial Police Directorate. As a result, previously common congestion points during Tet were thoroughly addressed, and there was virtually no localized congestion during the holiday. The widespread selling of flowers and peach blossoms by vendors along the roads, as in previous years, was also effectively dealt with.

Thanks to effective traffic safety measures, the number of traffic accidents in Nghe An province during the 9-day Tet holiday decreased compared to the 2014 Tet holiday. The province recorded 11 traffic accidents, resulting in 14 deaths and 11 injuries. During the 9 days of Tet, authorities conducted 439 traffic safety patrols involving nearly 1,500 officers and soldiers, handling 485 traffic safety violations, including 310 cases of not wearing helmets and 27 cases of drunk driving.

Vinh City police launch campaign to ensure traffic safety and order during the Lunar New Year holiday.

During the Tet holiday, the Nghe An Provincial Police investigated and clarified 15 out of 19 cases of violations of social order, arresting 21 suspects and recovering money and assets worth approximately 28 million VND; detected and arrested 1 case involving 1 suspect transporting illegal forest products; 9 cases involving 60 suspects gambling, seizing 53 million VND in cash; and arrested 7 wanted fugitives. The police also focused on combating and preventing illegal activities, detecting and arresting 35 cases involving 48 suspects for buying, selling, transporting, and storing illegal fireworks, seizing 81.4 kg of various types of fireworks, and persuading people to surrender 11.2 kg of fireworks.

Although the 9-day Lunar New Year holiday has ended, spring festivities and celebrations continue until the end of January. The festive spirit of the New Year persists, and ensuring the absolute safety of the people during these celebrations remains a top priority for the police force. In the coming period, the Nghe An Provincial Police will continue to strengthen its forces and intensify the planned crackdown on crime, including strengthening patrols and controls to ensure traffic safety and maintain public order, aiming to bring a truly peaceful spring to everyone.

Nguyen Khoa