Delegates raised 5 arguments in support of banning driving after drinking alcohol.

On the afternoon of November 24, the National Assembly (NA) discussed in the hall the draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety. Although the Government had previously sent a report to each NA delegate to explain the regulation prohibiting driving under the influence of alcohol, many NA deputies still expressed their interest and raised debates around this content.

Delegate Pham Van Thinh, Bac Giang Delegation, presented 5 arguments in support of banning driving after drinking alcohol at the discussion session. Photo: QH

Not only wine and beer, thinking about my wife makes my heart beat and my legs tremble.

Deputy Dang Bich Ngoc (National Assembly Delegation of Hoa Binh Province) emphasized: In recent times, the Ministry of Public Security has been very determined in directing and handling violations of alcohol concentration for traffic participants. This has contributed significantly to ensuring traffic safety, social order, preventing the risk of accidents, limiting the occurrence of tragic accidents, helping to build awareness and habits of people in participating in traffic, "if you drink alcohol, do not drive".

“Strictly handling violations of alcohol concentration also contributes to increasing budget revenue. Therefore, I agree with the provisions in the draft law,” said Deputy Ngoc.

" Such a prohibition is unreasonable, unconvincing and will cause many arguments between the parties when the alcohol concentration is blown ."
Delegate TRINH MINH BINH

Also concerned about this issue, Deputy Trinh Minh Binh (National Assembly Delegation of Vinh Long Province) said that there should not be absolute and rigid regulations but there should be a certain limit on alcohol concentration in blood or breath, only when exceeding will there be a fine.

According to Mr. Binh, if a person drinks a glass of grape juice with sugar to help digest food, they still have an alcohol concentration and will be punished, even though in reality they did not drink any alcohol or beer.

Such a regulation is unreasonable, unconvincing and will cause many arguments between the parties when the alcohol concentration is blown" - Mr. Binh said.

Debate on this issue, National Assembly Delegation Be Trung Anh (Tra Vinh Province) said that alcohol is only a factor that affects behavioral capacity. If you drink too much alcohol, it will affect your behavioral capacity, but if you drink in moderation, such as "tasting wine", it is probably fine.

According to Mr. Trung Anh, it is necessary to distinguish between two issues: behavioral capacity and using alcohol or not using alcohol. “If we want to control all factors that cause poor behavioral capacity, it is not only alcohol… Even when a man is on the road, just thinking about his wife makes his heart beat faster, his legs tremble, and he cannot drive anymore” - Deputy Trung Anh said.

Delegate Le Hoang Anh, Gia Lai Delegation, debated at the discussion session on the afternoon of November 24. Photo: QH

Need scientific basis

Participating in the discussion, Deputy Pham Van Thinh (National Assembly Delegation of Bac Giang province) presented five arguments to support the viewpoint of banning the use of alcohol and beer while driving as in the draft law.

Firstly, Mr. Thinh said that the harm caused by driving under the influence of alcohol is very serious. Data from the authorities shows that in traffic accidents of a serious level or higher, up to 50% of the cases occur because the driver has consumed alcohol.

Second, this delegate believes that the provisions of the law need to be clear so that people can easily verify and assess whether they are violating or not. "Therefore, between the choice of having a threshold or banning alcohol consumption, the ban option will be clear, making it easier for citizens to comply," said Mr. Thinh.

Third, according to Mr. Thinh, allowing alcohol consumption below a certain threshold will create space to promote violations. In terms of behavioral psychology, once you have had a glass of alcohol, the possibility of drinking more will be higher than if you absolutely do not drink from the beginning.

Fourth, Mr. Thinh believes that our society's awareness of obeying the law in general and traffic safety law in particular is still low. Therefore, the prohibition will be more suitable in such conditions of social awareness.

Finally, Mr. Thinh said that the ban on driving under the influence of alcohol is not new but has been passed by the 14th National Assembly in the Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Alcohol and Beer; effective from January 1, 2020. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this regulation has actually only been strongly implemented since 2022 and is showing very good results in curbing traffic accidents.

In response, Deputy Le Hoang Anh (National Assembly Delegation of Gia Lai Province) said: "I think the National Assembly must decide on issues based on scientific evidence and scientific conclusions of competent authorities, not on emotions or public opinion."

According to Deputy Hoang Anh, the draft law and the Government's report on acceptance confirm that "it will be researched and there will be a scientific basis for this issue." "That is, at this point in time, we do not have a scientific basis," said Mr. Hoang Anh.

On the other hand, according to Mr. Hoang Anh, the ban here must not affect "cultural beauty" or restrict other professions, especially traditional medicine. Because using just 5-10 ml of medicinal wine to treat diseases is an immediate violation. "I propose that the Government direct the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Science and Technology to have an official response to the National Assembly on the scientific basis for making this decision," Mr. Hoang Anh added.

Research carefully to ensure the feasibility of the regulation.

According to the Government's explanatory report, the regulation prohibiting driving after drinking alcohol aims to ensure the health of traffic participants, avoid alcohol abuse, protect the race, limit traffic accidents and is consistent with the provisions of the Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Alcohol.

In fact, drivers who drink alcohol will have their ability to judge and handle situations when participating in traffic affected. Many traffic accidents with serious consequences, killing and injuring many people have occurred due to drivers violating alcohol concentration.

In response to the opinions of the deputies, Minister of Public Security To Lam said that the drafting agency will closely coordinate with the National Defense and Security Committee and relevant agencies to carefully study, absorb, and fully explain to complete the draft law to ensure quality and feasibility.

Source PLO

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