Officials and civil servants raise awareness: "If you drink alcohol, do not drive"

The traffic accident caused by a Phong Du Thuong commune official has become a heartbreaking wake-up call about the use of alcohol in the workplace and when participating in traffic. The incident not only caused tragic consequences but also served as an urgent reminder to all officials, civil servants and public employees in the province about their responsibilities to themselves, their families and society.

At about 20:30 on August 11, 2025, Mr. Lo Van Manh - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Phong Du Thuong commune drove a Toyota Fortuner with license plate 21C - 1.XXX from Nam Phong restaurant to Lang Chang village Cultural House to attend a performance program. However, when arriving at the yard of Lang Chang village Cultural House, Mr. Manh caused a serious accident. Through inspection, the authorities determined that Mr. Lo Van Manh had an alcohol concentration of 0.286 mg/liter of breath. This heartbreaking incident once again shows the unpredictable harm of alcohol and beer.

One day after the accident, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Tran Huy Tuan signed and issued Official Dispatch No. 03/CD-UBND, requesting departments, branches, localities, agencies and units across the province to strengthen compliance with laws on traffic safety and regulations prohibiting the use of alcohol and beer.

The dispatch clearly stated that although the majority of cadres, civil servants and public employees in the province have strictly complied with the provisions of the law on traffic safety and not using alcohol during working hours (including lunch breaks). However, there is still a situation where some cadres, civil servants and public employees are not self-conscious, do not strictly comply, are not exemplary, and still drive vehicles after using alcohol, causing serious social consequences.

To rectify this situation, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and socio-political organizations, together with departments, branches, sectors and People's Committees of communes and wards, to thoroughly disseminate to all cadres, civil servants, public employees and workers the strict prohibition of using alcohol and beer during working hours and days. The telegram also required cadres, civil servants, public employees and workers to absolutely not drive vehicles participating in traffic when using alcohol and beer.

The determination of the provincial leaders has been seriously implemented by the grassroots levels. In Muong Hum - a mountainous commune of the province, there are dozens of cadres from Bat Xat district (old) and other communes coming to work. Because they work far from home, nearly 50 cadres, civil servants and public employees stay in the commune on weekdays. Mr. Nguyen Hong Son - Secretary of the Party Committee of Muong Hum commune said: "To ensure the living conditions of the cadres, the Party Committee and the government of Muong Hum commune not only arrange official housing, but also pay attention to daily meals". Strictly implementing the direction of the province, at collective meals, 100% of cadres do not use alcohol or beer. Collective meals are delicious, clean, orderly, on time, and do not use alcohol or beer, contributing to ensuring the health of the cadres, civil servants and public employees, and at the same time, not letting the use of alcohol or beer affect the performance of assigned tasks.

Another typical example is in Trinh Tuong commune. Currently, there are dozens of officials living far from the office, having to eat and rest at the official residence every day. However, lunch and dinner meals now do not include alcohol or beer. Mr. Vu Ba Duy - Vice Chairman of Trinh Tuong Commune People's Committee said: "The Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee of Trinh Tuong commune have organized meetings and thoroughly informed all officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers to strictly implement Official Dispatch No. 03/CD-UBND. In particular, drinking alcohol or beer during working hours and days. On days off, if you have drunk alcohol or beer, you are absolutely not allowed to drive a vehicle. In addition, the Commune People's Committee has assigned the Commune Police to strengthen patrolling and control work. If officials, civil servants, and public employees are found to be violating the regulations, they will be strictly handled according to regulations. Trinh Tuong commune has no cases of officials, civil servants, and public employees violating traffic order and safety as well as using alcohol or beer during working hours.

From January 1 to October 20, 2025, the traffic police force of the whole province detected and handled 6,679 cases of driving with alcohol concentration in breath.

To thoroughly resolve the situation of cadres, civil servants and public employees drinking alcohol during working hours, or having drunk alcohol while participating in traffic, Official Dispatch No. 03/CD-UBND also proposed many synchronous solutions. That is, the Provincial Police directed the traffic police force and the police of communes and wards to increase patrols, control, and strictly handle drivers with alcohol concentration in blood and breath. The Department of Health increased the review and strictly handled violations of the Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Alcohol. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with press and media agencies, promoted propaganda activities and dissemination of laws on traffic safety and the harmful effects of alcohol...

Strictly complying with regulations on traffic safety and alcohol use is not only a legal responsibility but also a criterion for evaluating the level of task completion and ranking of cadres, civil servants and public employees at the end of the year. Hopefully, the drastic participation of authorities at all levels and the change in awareness of each cadre and civil servant will help Lao Cai build a healthy working environment and a safe and civilized traffic culture.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/can-bo-cong-chuc-nang-cao-nhan-thuc-da-uong-ruou-bia-khong-lai-xe-post885615.html