[visordown.com] - Vietnam considers motorcycle ban in major cities

[Ninjette Newsbot]

VIETNAM is pushing to impose a ban on motorcycles in major cities.

The idea is being put forward to improve pollution levels and traffic safety where, according to the National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC), 26 people are killed and 81 injured every day.

According to Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, big cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh should improve public transport and only then limit the number of private vehicles.

Mr. Phuc conceded that traffic safety was “extremely complicated” and said: “There should be detailed and breakthrough solutions, including a plan to gradually ban motorbikes in big cities.”

The idea has been met by opposition from NTSC deputy chairman Nguyen Hoang Hiep, who said: “It is impossible [to ban motorbikes quickly] because of undeveloped economics, lack of infrastructure and insufficient public transport.”

According to Hiep, 2020-2025 would be the right time to ban motorbikes so long as Vietnam were to improve public transport infrastructure.

The NTSC proposed the ban two years ago but the ministry of transport announced the plan wouldn’t go ahead due to public opposition.

However, in a recent survey of 27,000 people by Vietnamese news channel VTC, 54% said 'there should be a plan to ban motorbikes now'. Another 31% thought motorbikes should be banned once there are alternative means of transport, and 14% opposed the ban outright.

There are over 37 million motorbikes in Vietnam compared to 1.6 million cars. Motorcycles are responsible for much of the country’s transport, trade and economic growth.

Former transport minister Ho Nghia Dung said: “Motorbikes are still necessary for everyone in Vietnam. They are still contributing to social development, solving the basic demands of many residents.”

He added: “But the excessive growth of motorbikes in the country has caused more accidents and gridlocks.”





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