Project cracks down on drink driving

HANOI, April 18 (VNA) - A project to prevent and restrict drink driving, was launched at the Mien Dong (Eastern) Bus Station in Ho Chi Minh City on April 16. The event was set forth by the Vietnam Road Administration, the municipal Department of Transport and the International Centre for Alcohol Policies (ICAP). According to Deputy Director of the Department Duong Hong Thanh, the project aims to raise drivers’ awareness of the dangers of driving after they consume beer, wine or other alcoholic substances. Transport business and their drivers will have to commit to not driving after using alcohol, and they will be fined if violate the regulation, Thanh said. Nguyen Lan Huong, ICAP Director in Vietnam said the programme is part of a global-scale project which aims to prevent alcohol abuse in high-risk groups, especially drivers. The pilot model will be deployed in the Central Highland’s province of Dak Lak and central Khanh Hoa province after HCM City – the locality with possibly the most roads and most complex transport network in the country. Municipal authorities will assist the Ministry of Transport in building plans to prevent and combat the misuse of spirits and beer. On the occasion, the ICAP presented alcohol meters to the department.-VNA