HCMC – The Traffic Police Department on February 17 (the first day of the Lunar New Year) reported 1,646 violations of blood alcohol content (BAC) between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., as part of a nationwide enforcement campaign conducted during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.
Traffic police under the Ministry of Public Security simultaneously carried out BAC inspections across localities from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on the evening of the first day of Tet. Authorities checked 38,090 vehicles, including 323 passenger coaches, 1,304 trucks, 9,860 cars, 25,735 motorcycles, and 868 rudimentary and other vehicles.
Of the 1,646 BAC violations detected, the cases involved one truck driver, 43 car drivers, 1,542 motorcyclists, and 60 operators of rudimentary and other vehicles. The figure was double that recorded during the midday enforcement period from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the same day.
In addition to BAC violations, traffic police handled 502 cases of driving without a license, 349 cases of operating vehicles without registration, and 38 cases of driving without rearview mirrors. One was found to drive under the influence of drugs. Authorities impounded 1,646 vehicles and temporarily seized 191 driver’s licenses.
During the 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. BAC enforcement period, one traffic accident related to alcohol use occurred in Haiphong City, injuring two people.
The Traffic Police Department directed nationwide BAC inspections starting at 10:00 a.m. on the first day of the Lunar New Year and will continue enforcement throughout the Tet holiday.
In the final three days of the holiday, traffic police will focus on violations by passenger transport vehicles, including carrying more passengers than permitted, transporting goods in passenger compartments or on vehicle roofs, exceeding size and weight limits, and speeding.
The Traffic Police Department called on the public to report violations by passenger coaches via its fanpage, the VNeTraffic app, or the department head’s hotline for verification and timely handling to ensure travel safety after Tet.
