Over 570 vehicles were pulled over for inspection in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday as part of a month-long campaign to ramp up inspection of road users and vehicles in the southern metropolis.

Under the campaign, which lasts from May 15 to June 14, road users in Ho Chi Minh City can be pulled over by traffic police officers for an administrative inspection regardless of whether or not they have committed a violation.

The campaign was launched by the traffic police division under the municipal Department of Police in the hope of reducing accidents and traffic violations as the city’s streets are busy again after a three-week social distancing period ending April 22 to curb the spread of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On the first day of the campaign, more than 220 road users were fined for traffic violations, including driving under the influence (DUI).

A road user pulled over at Hang Xanh intersection in Binh Thanh District at around 10:30 pm Friday was found driving with a breath alcohol content of 0.707mg/L and was handed a fine of VND7 million (US$300) and a three-month license suspension.

Another driver, who was detected with an alcohol level of 0.619mg per liter of breath, admitted his fault of driving after drinking and later hailed a taxi home, saying he had “learned a lesson”.

“Next time, if I attend a party and drink, I will take a taxi for the sake of safety,” he expressed.

Vietnam’ new law on drunk driving, which entered into force on January 1, stipulates that drivers must be completely sober while operating bicycles, motorbikes, automobiles, and any other vehicles on the country’s roads.

Violators face fines of up to VND40 million (US$1,700), as well as tougher punishments including having their driving license revoked for up to two years.

The result displayed on a breathalyzer shows a driver in violation of driving under the influence in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 15, 2020. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre

A traffic police officer gives a road user a breath test in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 15, 2020. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre

A traffic police officer pulls over a road user for administrative inspection in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 15, 2020. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre

Traffic police officers book road violations in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 15, 2020. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre

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