HCMC launches year-end campaign to fine DUIs

The campaign is dispatching new DUI teams with significantly more officers than normal to streets known for high concentrations of bars, clubs and restaurants. The officers’ mission will be to perform more regular traffic stops and check for alcohol-level violations in motorists.

Police in Thu Duc City and the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police Division began deploying officers to check and fine those who drink and drive in Thu Duc City on Tuesday.

The campaign will last until Dec. 31, with officers split into teams patrolling areas surrounding popular clusters of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues in order to prevent drunk driving.

Nguyen Van Binh, deputy head of the Ho Chi Minh City traffic police, said that besides Thu Duc City, other teams in other districts are also patrolling every night for alcohol level violations.

"This is to prevent people who party at the end of the year from drinking and driving, which can result in accidents," Binh said.

Over the first nine months of 2023, HCMC police recorded 93,507 cases of alcohol level violations while driving. This included 421 cars and 93,086 motorbikes. A total of 93,500 people had their licenses revoked for such incidents.

Any amount of alcohol found in a person’s system will result in his/her driving license being revoked, under Vietnamese law. The highest penalties are VND40 million (US$1,640) fine and 24 months of license revocation, although one can face criminal charges if the violation results in accidents.