At the 6th session, the National Assembly gave opinions on the draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety. One of the issues that many delegates were concerned about in this bill was the provision that absolutely prohibits drivers from participating in traffic with alcohol in their blood or breath.
Speaking to VietNamNet reporters, some National Assembly deputies expressed two different opinions on this issue. Specifically, some deputies supported the view that driving means there is no alcohol concentration in the breath; others said that a certain threshold of alcohol concentration in drivers should be regulated.
Delegate Pham Van Hoa (Member of the National Assembly's Law Committee) said that the regulation of zero alcohol concentration in driver's breath is unreasonable.
“If I drink tonight, after a night's sleep, even though I'm sober enough to drive, tomorrow morning the traffic police will test my breath alcohol concentration and I'll most likely still be fined,” Mr. Hoa said.
In addition, according to delegate Pham Van Hoa, many foods, especially seafood, need to be cooked by steaming with wine or beer. When eating this type of food, the breath also has alcohol concentration.
“The fact that drivers on the road are fined by authorities for violating alcohol concentration just because they eat food steamed with alcohol or beer is also something that makes them worried,” Mr. Pham Van Hoa shared.
In addition, according to Mr. Hoa, the culture and customs of Vietnamese people have always had the habit of sipping a glass of wine during work and family discussions. Therefore, such a strict ban also has a significant impact on the psychology of some people and affects the business and trade of restaurants.
Therefore, according to delegate Pham Van Hoa, the draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety should be revised to accept that the breath of vehicle drivers has an appropriate alcohol concentration level.
Be strict to avoid unfortunate accidents.
However, according to delegate Truong Xuan Cu (Vice President of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly), the regulation of a certain level of alcohol in the breath of drivers is difficult for law enforcement agencies and also difficult for the agency drafting the draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety.
“Each person has a different tolerance for alcohol. Some people can drink ten glasses without getting drunk, but others can’t sober up after one glass. So, how do the drafters of the bill know what regulations are appropriate? In my opinion, if it is prohibited, it is a complete ban on drivers of vehicles drinking alcohol,” said Mr. Truong Xuan Cu.
Mr. Truong Xuan Cu said that the strict handling of people who drink alcohol and drive vehicles as in the recent past has had a great impact on social psychology. However, according to the delegate of Hanoi, many people have gradually formed the awareness to take the initiative to take taxis and motorbike taxis to shops and restaurants that serve alcohol.
“The law does not prohibit anyone from drinking alcohol or beer. But when you drink, you should not drive to avoid causing unfortunate accidents,” said Mr. Truong Xuan Cu, adding that in the past, when motorbike drivers were required to wear helmets, many people did not agree. But now, motorbike drivers who do not wear helmets are out of place on the road.
Mr. Nguyen Truong Giang, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Law Committee, said that the current absolute ban on drivers drinking alcohol while participating in traffic is still being applied, but in reality, there are still people who violate it.
Therefore, according to the Deputy Chairman of the Law Committee, it is necessary to base on systematic research from practice and the world to come up with the most appropriate regulations. The draft law was discussed at the 6th session and is expected to be considered and approved by the National Assembly at the 7th session in 2024.
“Of course, if the regulation on alcohol concentration in breath at a certain level is still allowed to drive, it will make it difficult for law enforcement agencies. Therefore, relevant units need to listen to opinions to have appropriate regulations,” added the Deputy Chairman of the Law Committee.
Prohibit people with alcohol concentration from driving, drivers worry that after drinking alcohol for 1 night, they will still be 'fined'
According to Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Viet Cuong, in principle, the amount of alcohol in the body will decompose completely after about 6 - 8 hours. Therefore, if a person drinks alcohol or beer the night before and is still fined for violating alcohol concentration the next morning, it means that person drank a lot.
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