One of the issues that many National Assembly delegates were interested in and commented on during the discussion session on the draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety this morning was the regulation "prohibiting the act of driving vehicles participating in traffic". traveling on the road but there is alcohol in the blood or breath.
On the morning of March 27, continuing the program of the 3th full-time National Assembly Delegates Conference, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Khac Dinh moderated the content to give comments on the draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety. set.
One of the issues that many delegates were interested in and commented on during the discussion session was the regulation "prohibiting the act of driving a vehicle participating in road traffic with alcohol in the blood or breath" in Clause 1. , Article 9 of the draft Law.
Two options and their advantages and disadvantages
In a report on some major issues of the draft Law sent to the conference, the Standing Committee of National Defense and Security said that during the discussion at the 6th Session, the majority of delegates agreed with the prohibition of controlling vehicles. participating in road traffic with alcohol content in blood or breath. But some delegates also proposed setting the lowest limit on blood and breath alcohol levels for drivers participating in traffic.
 |
|
Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Khac Dinh moderated the discussion on the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety project on the morning of March 27. (Photo: DUY LINH) |
The agency in charge of the verification has stated the advantages and disadvantages of both viewpoints above. Accordingly, continuing this prohibition is one of the fundamental solutions that contributes to changing the culture and habits of drinking alcohol and beer, especially when you are not allowed to drive after drinking alcohol or beer. Forming a culture of "don't drive after drinking" can be a long process, but is suitable for the economic, social and traffic conditions of Vietnam.
Therefore, it is necessary to continue to promote the formation of that culture, combining other measures to build a healthy living environment and a lifestyle that does not depend on the consumption of alcoholic beverages...
On the other hand, according to the report, the regulation that absolutely prohibits alcohol concentration is more feasible than the regulation that allows alcohol concentration at a certain threshold. With the absolute ban on alcohol concentration, people do not drink alcohol or beer before driving a vehicle. If the regulations have a certain threshold, it will be difficult for people to determine how much to drink and how to drink below that threshold, and it will also be difficult for the authorities to handle it. Furthermore, when there is a threshold, it is easy to be forced to drink and once you drink, you will easily become irritated, difficult to control yourself and stop.
Besides, the regulation of thresholds has many limitations, including the waste of effort and money of the State and people when we have diligently propagated, inspected, and handled violations, every time. step in forming the culture of "don't drive after drinking".
The report clearly states that the Standing Inspection Agency agrees with the Government's proposal to absolutely ban alcohol levels for drivers participating in road traffic. However, according to the suggestions of some delegates, the Standing Committee has designed two plans to report to the National Assembly Standing Committee at the 2st session (March 31).
 |
|
View of the discussion session. (Photo: DUY LINH) |
Option 1: Regulation prohibiting the act of driving a vehicle participating in road traffic with alcohol content in blood or breath (inherited as prescribed in Clause 6, Article 5 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Alcohol and Beer 2019, applied applicable to all types of road vehicles).
Option 2: Regulations like the 2008 Road Traffic Law prohibit: "Driving cars, tractors, or specialized motorbikes on the road with alcohol in the blood or breath. Operating a motorbike or motorbike with an alcohol concentration in the blood exceeding 50 milligrams/100 milliliters of blood or 0,25 milligrams/1 liter of breathing air." At the same time, relevant regulations in Clause 6, Article 5 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Alcohol and Beer 2019 must be amended.
At the 31st session, the National Assembly Standing Committee gave specific opinions on the above two options and unanimously recommended choosing Option 2.
It is necessary to continue to evaluate the impact more deeply and comprehensively
Speaking at the Conference of full-time National Assembly delegates this morning, delegate Nguyen Dai Thang (Hung Yen delegation) said that during the group discussion session at the 6th National Assembly session, delegates proposed to consider the need for a threshold alcohol concentration. However, after carefully evaluating the pros and cons, delegates now agree with the regulation prohibiting the act of driving a vehicle participating in road traffic with alcohol in the blood or breath.
According to delegate Thang, recently the traffic police have increased inspection and handling of alcohol concentration violations, showing strictness, no prohibited areas, no exceptions, thereby contributing to reducing accidents. traffic accident.
 |
|
Delegate Nguyen Dai Thang (Hung Yen delegation) participated in the discussion. (Photo: DUY LINH) |
“According to authorities' data, in 2023 the number of traffic accidents related to alcohol use will decrease by 25%, the number of deaths by 50%, and the number of injuries by 22% over the same period. . With the motto that human life comes first, first of all, regulations prohibiting people from using alcohol when driving vehicles are necessary," said the Hung Yen delegation delegate.
Regarding the regulation on violations of alcohol concentration reaching the threshold, delegate Thang raised the question: "When we sit at the table to drink alcohol or beer, how do we determine if we are drinking within the allowed threshold?". Besides, according to delegates, in recent times, the authorities have increased the handling of alcohol violations, people have gradually formed the habit of "don't drive if you drink alcohol".
Discussing this content, delegate Nguyen Minh Tam (Quang Binh delegation) said that, according to the explanation report, it is prohibited to drive a vehicle participating in road traffic with blood or breath containing alcohol level is intended to prevent and reduce potential risks and damages caused by the use of alcohol and beer when driving a vehicle.
At the same time, there are many data that specifically demonstrate the reality of traffic accidents related to alcohol and beer.
“Therefore, I agree with the regulation prohibiting the act of driving a vehicle in traffic with alcohol content in the blood or breath (this regulation is inherited from the provisions of Clause 6, Article 5 of the Law on Prevention and Control). Harmful effects of alcohol and beer in 2019, applicable to all types of road vehicles)", Ms. Tam said.
 |
|
Delegate Nguyen Minh Tam (Quang Binh delegation) expressed his agreement with the regulation prohibiting the act of driving a vehicle in traffic with alcohol in the blood or breath. (Photo: DUY LINH) |
However, according to delegate Nguyen Minh Tam, the practice of using alcohol and beer in our country is considered a cultural feature and a habit of a part of the people. Furthermore, activities of producing, importing, distributing, supplying and consuming alcohol and beer have also contributed a significant part to the State's budget revenue; creating jobs and income for a part of workers at alcoholic beverage production and trading establishments.
“The absolute ban on the use of alcohol and beer when participating in traffic will greatly reduce alcohol and beer consumption and have a certain impact on cultural life, budget revenue and workers' income. moving," the delegate said.
Therefore, to increase persuasion, delegates recommended that the Government continue to evaluate the deeper and more comprehensive impact of this policy. At the same time, research to provide data proving the "allowable alcohol concentration limit" to control alcohol and beer when participating in traffic as in the past is not feasible and does not reduce the number of accidents. traffic accidents and difficulty controlling traffic accidents.
Having a different opinion from the above delegates, delegate Pham Van Hoa (Dong Thap delegation) said that it is necessary to regulate violations of alcohol concentration up to a threshold before handling them.
“I think it's not that I stubbornly maintain my subjective point of view. In reality today, after a party, people with money go to the service, while people without money still drive their own cars.
Especially in the countryside, there are many manual workers who travel by motorbike. If 100% has no alcohol content, it is hardly feasible. In fact, when drinking 1 can of beer or 1-2 glasses of wine, your mind is still normal and you can still drive. For example, if you drink alcohol or beer yesterday afternoon, then the next morning you still have an alcohol concentration and will be fined, which is very unreasonable," delegate Hoa shared his opinion.
Nhan Dan
