Prime Minister's request for strict action against officials and officers of armed forces violating regulations on alcohol concentration in Vietnam

Prime Minister's request for strict action against officials and officers of armed forces violating regulations on alcohol concentration in Vietnam (Image from the internet)

On September 17, 2024, the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam signed Directive 35/CT-TTg regarding the handling of officials and public employees and soldiers in the armed forces violating regulations on operating vehicles with blood or breath alcohol concentration; non-cooperation with authorities in handling violations in Vietnam.

Prime Minister's request for strict action against officials and officers of armed forces violating regulations on alcohol concentration in Vietnam

Recently, under the resolute and regular guidance of the Party Secretariat, the Government of Vietnam, the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam, various levels, sectors, and political-social organizations, the majority of officials, Party members, and the People have shown positive changes in legal compliance, culture, and behavior in traffic participation, contributing to making traffic activities more civilized and safer.

However, there remains a segment of officials and public employees, officers, and soldiers in the armed forces (hereafter collectively referred to as officials and public employees) who lack exemplary behavior, violate the law when participating in traffic, even displaying improper conduct, non-compliance with inspections and handling by authorities, especially in the examination of violations while operating vehicles with blood or breath alcohol concentration (alcohol violations); there are isolated incidents of operating vehicles under alcohol influence causing traffic accidents leading to fatalities, fleeing the scene, resisting, not cooperating with inspection and resolution by authorities, causing public indignation.

In 2023 and Q1 of 2024 alone, the Police force conducted inspections, handled administrative violations, and verified notices sent to agencies, units managing over 7,600 Party members and officials and public employees violating alcohol levels.

The primary reason for the above situation is a portion of officials and public employees lack self-cultivation, training, and do not fully understand their obligations and responsibilities in ensuring traffic order and safety; heads and leaders of some administrative agencies, public service providers, units within the armed forces have not paid attention to thoroughly disseminating and implementing directives from the Communist Party, the Government of Vietnam, the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam in ensuring traffic order and safety; lax discipline, lack of responsibility in managing staff, covering up, not strictly disciplining, conforming when officials and public employees have violations, thereby failing to correct and remind the entire agency or unit.

Several traffic accidents caused by officials and public employees, officers in the armed forces violating alcohol levels have affected the reputation and image of officials and public employees, causing public resentment.

The situation demands further strengthening of management, rectification in compliance with laws on traffic participation by officials and public employees, contributing to building ethical standards and cultural behavior among officials and public employees; hence, the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam requests the Minister of Public Security:

- Direct the Police units and localities during patrols, inspections, and handling of traffic law violations to adhere to the spirit of “supremacy of law”, “no zones of exemption, no exceptions”, not accepting interventions or influences to overlook violations; strictly discipline officers who do not thoroughly handle, overlook violations during the process of handling administrative traffic violations. During the handling process, verification must be conducted; if the violator is an official or public employee violating alcohol levels while operating a vehicle, non-cooperation with authorities in handling the violation must be notified to the agency or unit managing the officer for review and conforming handling.

- For cases of operating vehicles in violation of traffic laws related to alcohol levels causing traffic accidents, displaying resistance, disrupting public order, obstructing the duty execution of authorities, promptly consolidate files, investigate, cooperate with the Procuracy, and Courts to strictly handle according to conforming laws.

More details can be found in Directive 35/CT-TTg issued on September 17, 2024.

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