BackgroundDrink driving is a major risk factor for road crashes in Viet Nam. Studies have shown up to 36% motorcycle riders and 66.8% car drivers admitted to hospital had a BAC above the limit.ActivitiesThis program partnered with National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC), Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) implemented pilot enhanced enforcement of drink driving in 5 provinces of Viet Nam. Senior traffic police were trained overseas on this model followed by extensive trainings for police officers in program provinces. Police operations were supplemented by international standard breathalysers, and an intensive social marketing campaign on national and provincial media. Implementation results in different time periods were periodically briefed to senior leaders of NTSC, and General Department of Police for decision making. Independent monitoring was provided by Hanoi School of Public Health (HSPH).ResultsThe enforcement campaign was implemented from 2010 to December 2013. More than 200,000 road users were breath tested during high alcohol times (12 pm – 2 pm and 6 pm – 9 pm). The efficiency of enforcement improved dramatically. The number of tests given in 2013 in Quang Ninh was 22 times higher than in Bac Ninh where the new practice was not implemented.Enforcement results showed a declining trend of violations from over 30% to less than 10% in intervention provinces. Public’s awareness on drink driving has been maintained at over 90%. Monitoring results from HSPH showed a declining mortality trend between 2010 and 2013.Having shown high efficiency and high public acceptance of the new enforcement model, in June 2014, the General Department of Police issued a decision to implement the new enforcement practice nation-wide. In 45 days of implementation of the national enforcement campaign applying the new practice between mid-December 2014 and February 2015, traffic police penalised 35,370 drivers for violations of drink driving regulation compared with virtually none before the program.ConclusionsIt’s essential to design and implement solid pilot program so good quality data could be produced and presented to senior Government leaders to advocate for policy change. It’s also crucial to link pilot interventions to national priorities to ensure large program impact and sustainability – an important factor for a problem that requires long term interventions.
Xe-om (motorbike-taxi) is a very popular form of passengers transportation in Vietnam. However, xe-om riders have little knowledge about quality helmet, ways of correct use and the risks of drink driving. This initiative provided education on helmet use and drink-driving prevention for them at Hoa An Bus Station, Da Nang City, aiming at improving their own and passengers' safety. Pre and post evaluations were conducted to assess the changes in KAP of xe-om riders after interventions.Activities120 xe-om riders were targeted for interventions from February to October 2009. Xe-om riders were given trainings and practice on selecting quality helmets and its correct use. Risks of drink driving were also provided through talks, and visual education materials. Hoa An bus station management and health staff provided random monitoring & day-to-day enforcement of helmet use.ResultsHelmet wearing was maintained at 100% among xe-om riders. Rate of drink driving reduced to 6.7% (2009) from 67.8% (2008). Knowledge on selection of quality helmet has also increased sharply. Important quality criteria such as EPS liner or the shell have increased from 26.27% to 97.45% and 13.56% to 100%, respectively. Knowledge of correct helmet use such as wearing upright on head with straps fitted below the chin has increased from 36% to over 95%.ConclusionsSelected education and communication activities for target group coupled with close monitoring and enforcement can bring positive changes to the practice of xe-om riders.
Drink driving is a major issue in Vietnam, yet, the magnitude of the problem is not adequately reported by the Government. Official statistics in 2008 revealed 6–7% of road traffic accidents occurred due to drink driving. This study was conducted in five major trauma hospitals across Vietnam, namely: Yen Bai, Viet Duc, Da Nang, Binh Duong and HoChiMinh Orthopedics hospitals with an aim to understand better the magnitude of the problem. Ethics clearance was sought from Ministry of Health. Study subjects were road traffic patients admitted to hospital with age from 18 and upwards. Consent was obtained from each patient before conducting tests.ResultsFrom August to October 2009, a total of 3774 road traffic patients were given BAC tests in five hospitals. On average, 67.5% were positive with alcohol, ranging from 41% in Viet Duc to over 95% in Binh Duong. Among those positive, 58.5% of patients were over the limit of 50mg/dl. Over 95% are reported male drinkers. Majority of male drinkers rode home after consuming beer or alcohol, ranging from 64% in Da Nang to 96% in Ho Chi Minh city.Conclusions and Policy ImplicationsDrink driving is a major problem for road safety in Vietnam and is still largely under reported. It's recommended that sustained nation wide campaigns on risks of drink driving should be conducted, especially for motorcyclists. Strict enforcement is also crucial.
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