Hanoi trials ‘safe drinking’ service

Source: Pano feed

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Hanoi has launched a pilot “safe drinking” programme to encourage pubs and restaurants to keep drunk patrons off the road by having staff members see them home.


The National Committee for Traffic Safety and Vietnam Beer Alcohol Beverage Association (VBA) launched its programme on February 8, which involves publicity campaigns to curb drunk driving.


The signing ceremony to launch pilot “safe drinking” programme


Under the programme, Hanoi agreed to undertake a pilot safe drinking service, in which a pub or a restaurant can be certified as “safe” if they have an overnight parking lot and at least two staff members with driving licenses assigned to take drunk patrons home. In some cases, restaurants can enlist a taxi firm to transport intoxicated patrons.


Staff serving alcohol will also be required to disseminate information about the dangers of drinking and driving, and restaurants must post warning banners.


Trang An Restaurant at No. 42 Tang Bat Ho Street, Hanoi, is a pioneer of this model and actively discourages intoxicated patrons from driving.


The safe drinking service will be trialled in Danang and HCM City if the Hanoi pilot proves effective.


The VBA has pledged its support to educating drinkers about the adverse effects of mixing alcohol with driving.


Vietnam police enforce strict laws on drink driving, with the power to stop drivers suspected of being intoxicated and forcing them to undergo breath testing.


The National Committee for Traffic Safety says up to 70 percent of all traffic accidents in Vietnam are alcohol related.


Random roadblocks will be set up in Hanoi during the Tet festivities to check drivers, particularly those leaving restaurants, bars and in karaoke areas.


Since early July, 2014, HCM City has been piloting alcohol checks at a toll station on the HCM City-Trung Luong Highway.


It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 50 milligrams/100 millilitres, or 0.05, or above. Drivers who fail the blood alcohol test risk losing their licenses and face fines ranging from VND500,000 for a low range offence to VND15m in the case of a reading of 0.08 or above


In January, Hanoi traffic police fined nearly 700 drivers for alcohol violations, levying a total of more than VND1bn in fines.




Đăng ký: VietNam News

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