On the morning of June 27, 357 out of 448 National Assembly deputies voted in favor of the regulation prohibiting driving with any alcohol concentration in the blood or breath.

Subsequently, the National Assembly passed the entire Law on Road Traffic Safety with 388 out of 450 deputies in favor. This law will come into effect on January 1, 2025.

Clause 2, Article 9 of the Law on Road Traffic Safety specifically prohibits driving with any alcohol concentration in the blood or breath. The law assigns the Ministry of Health to manage the health conditions of drivers and operators of specialized motorbikes, including regulations on determining alcohol concentration and endogenous alcohol levels in the blood.

Before the approval, Chairman of the National Assembly's National Defense and Security Committee Le Tan Toi explained that while many agreed with the regulation, some suggested setting a minimum threshold. Others proposed presenting two options for deputies' consideration.

The National Assembly Standing Committee noted that this regulation is not new but rather an inheritance from the 2008 Road Traffic Law, consistent with the 2019 Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Alcohol and Beer. Not continuing this regulation could lead to increased traffic violations and accidents, countering efforts made by the political system and causing unnecessary waste of state and public resources.

During the 6th session, a majority of National Assembly deputies supported the regulation, with some suggesting a minimum threshold. A ballot was conducted, and 293 deputies (75.52% of those giving opinions and 60.16% of total deputies) supported the absolute prohibition, while 95 deputies (24.48% of those giving opinions and 19.51% of total deputies) proposed a minimum alcohol concentration limit. Eight deputies had other opinions.

Based on the majority support, the National Assembly Standing Committee proposed continuing the absolute prohibition, as stated in Clause 2, Article 9 of the draft law.

The Ministry of Health will issue technical procedures to quantify ethanol in the blood, addressing cases where alcohol concentration may be due to conditions other than alcohol consumption.

Decree 100/2019 on administrative sanctions specifies penalties for alcohol concentration violations. Cyclists face fines of 400,000 - 600,000 VND, motorcyclists face 6 - 8 million VND and a 22 - 24-month license suspension, and car drivers face 30 - 40 million VND fines and a 22 - 24-month license suspension.

Tran Thuong