Conduct breathalyzer tests for train drivers and staff at Vinh Station

No violations detected

According to the reporter's observations of the recent alcohol concentration test for railway staff at Vinh Station, most of the staff and workers there were not too surprised when asked to be tested. Through alcohol concentration testing of train drivers, assistant train drivers, train dispatchers, train operators, etc., all complied with regulations, with no cases of alcohol concentration violations, even with only a small amount of alcohol.

Mr. Tran The Hung, Vinh Station train dispatcher, said, “We were not too surprised when we were asked to check and always strictly complied. However, alcohol concentration testing in general, for railway staff and employees like this, needs to be maintained to always comply with regulations while working, especially not violating alcohol concentration to ensure safety for themselves as well as passengers.”

Sharing the same opinion, Mr. Nguyen Van Hai, on duty at Vinh Station, said: The awareness of compliance of each railway officer and employee is basically good, but it is also necessary to have supervision and inspection, specifically checking alcohol concentration during working hours to avoid unfortunate incidents.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Cao Dang Hung - Deputy Head of the Railway Traffic Police Team, under the Provincial Traffic Police Department: In addition to checking books and logs of trains that stop to pick up and drop off passengers and goods at the station, the guard duty of station staff, etc., the Railway Traffic Police Team also conducts surprise inspections at many positions of the Railway industry in the area.

In particular, focusing on checking compliance with regulations on alcohol concentration for railway staff directly serving train operations in 9 positions specified in Article 35 of the Law on Railway Traffic, including: train captain; main driver, assistant driver; train dispatcher, station train operator; station train operator; station station chief; switchman; locomotive and wagon connector; patrolman; level crossing and bridge guard.

Witnessing the alcohol testing of railway staff, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu, a train passenger, said: Testing alcohol levels of railway staff is necessary to help train passengers feel more secure. Because the density of vehicles and the frequency of vehicles passing through intersections between roads and railways are increasing, there are many potential risks of traffic accidents. Not to mention, there may also be errors arising from the subjectivity of individuals that lead to train accidents, including violations of alcohol levels.

Increase surprise inspections

Mr. Nguyen Huu Thuong - Deputy Head of the Technical Supervision and Railway Traffic Safety Department, Nghe Tinh Railway Exploitation Branch said: In Nghe An, there are about 2,500 officials and employees of the Railway industry. There are about 400 officials and employees working directly at Vinh Station. At this time, there are 15 pairs of trains passing through Vinh Station every day.

Due to the characteristics of the railway industry, basic equipment operates completely automatically, the main working positions are responsible for controlling system equipment, including train drivers, barrier pullers, switchmen, etc. Therefore, this can become the cause of subjectivity in complying with regulations on ensuring railway traffic safety of railway staff serving train operations. Just a small violation by any individual can lead to great damage to people and property.

Accordingly, the compliance with regulations in general, and regulations on alcohol concentration in particular, is always thoroughly communicated to officers and employees by the Nghe Tinh Railway Exploitation Branch, along with maintaining cross-checks. However, the alcohol concentration check by the Traffic Police force is an effective measure to contribute to raising awareness of compliance with traffic laws for employees in the industry.

Talking to us, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Nam Hong - Deputy Head of the Traffic Police Department of the Provincial Police said: The Traffic Police Department has issued a Plan to patrol, inspect, control, and handle violations under the topic "Drivers of vehicles, roads, railways, inland waterways and railway workers directly serving train operations who have drugs in their bodies, violating alcohol concentration" until the end of 2023. The implementation period is from March to December 14, 2023.

This topic is carried out comprehensively, synchronously and continuously. Alcohol and drug testing is carried out at many time frames, focusing on the time frames when drivers, crew members and train guards are most likely to violate. The form of testing is also constantly changing so that violators cannot find ways to avoid it. All detected violations are strictly handled according to regulations to increase deterrence, education, and create positive changes in people's awareness and compliance with the law.

In Nghe An, based on the actual situation of forces and means, the Railway Traffic Police Team under the Provincial Traffic Police Department regularly coordinates with the Traffic Police Team in localities to establish working groups to handle violations according to this Plan on the assigned routes and areas. Notably, through inspection, all railway staff strictly complied with regulations, there were no cases of alcohol concentration violations.

However, do not be subjective, in the coming time, the Railway Traffic Police Team will continue to maintain this regularly, not only conducting surprise inspections, but also conducting many inspections at different times to promptly detect and handle cases of intentional violations, with the view that anyone who violates will be handled according to the provisions of the law, helping to prevent the root cause of railway traffic accidents due to violations of alcohol concentration regulations.