VietNamNet Bridge – News of traffic accidents on early morning TV bulletins concern photographer Nguyen Van My immensely, and the fact that nearly 5,000 people have died in traffic accidents in the first six months of this year is a terrible tragedy.

Da Nang: Unique café of traffic signs

Encouraging signs: Bien Bao Cafe in Son Tra District in Da Nang City is a rendezvous for young people to drink coffee and explore the extraordinary array of traffic signals. Tables are made of steering wheels and rear-view mirrors, while the bar is designed with the doors and number plates of crushed trucks and buses.

Most road accidents are due to reckless driving such as going too fast, driving after drinking alcohol, or not checking that the vehicle, usually a motorbike, is roadworthy.

This controversial public issue led him to set up a cafe decorated with hundreds of traffic signs and safety warnings for drivers, at his own house in Son Tra District of Da Nang City.

He spent six months searching scrap metal yards in the central provinces and brought hundreds of vehicle parts, including car steering wheels, licence plates, tyres, horns and frames.

However, he intentionally decorated the cafe to also double as an education centre, so people could become more aware of traffic safety issues from the odd collection of paraphernalia hanging along the walls.

The cafe's gate was designed in the shape of a bicycle, while a roadside barrier is utilised as a fence.

The tables were easier to make, with a simple sheet of glass laid on top of a steering wheel.

"It feels like you're sitting in a cars driving seat. A rear-view mirror under the table creates the illusion of being in a real car," said My.

"I want to send a message to everybody here that all of us must focus on safety first. Traffic signs, rear-view mirrors, steering wheels and tyres remind people to check their vehicle before driving," he said.

My, 55, said his cafe is where many young people rendezvous as they can take photos of the unusual things the cafe has on display, but it's very meaningful.

Le Thuc Quynh, 19, who works at the cafe, said she was impressed with the extraordinary decor and the cafe‘s odd installations.

"It really focuses on traffic safety. Everything here reminds people of traffic signs or of the tragedies caused by accidents. I also learnt more about the traffic rules so I could inform and update customers at the cafe," she said.

"Cups, menus and even the corners of the cafe are covered with traffic safety slogans including ‘slow down, stop when traffic lights turn red or take care at the junction or beware pedestrians'."

Tran Thuong, a culinary expert, says that he goes there in the morning for his coffee, and he found that everyday the cafe reminded of the traffic rules.

"I travel a lot and I know the traffic safety regulations very well. However, I feel it is refreshing to see the traffic regulations every morning," said Thuong.

No beeping

My, the cafe‘s owner, says he wishes a day would pass without the continuous beeping of horns all across the city.

"Horns pollute the environment but they are no replacement for education. So, I fitted some air horns into a steel cage in the hope that drivers would acknowledge this problem and only ‘honk their horns' at the right time," he said.

"I heard about a kid who was killed by a truck while travelling with her mother in HCM City. The mother had lost control after when she got the fright of her life after a large vehicle behind her sounded its unbelievably horn. It was a heart-breaking accident. If we do honk our horns correctly and at the right time, accidents like that would become a thing of the past."

The 55-year-old also adorned his bar with doors taken from old buses and the number plates of crushed cars and trucks.

"I think the introduction of number plates will warn visitors to drive more carefully. I hope people can understand my message and they begin to travel safety after heeding my warnings," My explained.

"Visitors will also take better care of their vehicles after they come to my cafe."

The new cafe on the peninsula, 3km away from downtown Da Nang, has become a popular destination in the morning for young visitors just two months after opening.

"The cafe's decor makes me think of parts of my motorbike. The horn cage, lighting system and brakes all ensure that I check my bike. If some parts stop working, I could have a tragic accident myself," said Le Van Dong, a motorcyclist.

The 400sq.m cafe on Tran Nhan Tong Street is like an old fashioned showroom made of bamboo, bits of coracles, fishing nets and has sand on the basement floor.

The owner, who was born and grew up in a fishing village on the Son Tra peninsula, said he wants to preserve the fishing tools that his ancestors used to make for generations.

The basement is filled with white sand from the beach, fishing nets, paddles and a kerosene lamp. It is a quiet place for visitors who like to listen to music.

My said he has been searching for more odd things to put in the cafe as he wants to provide visitors with more information.

He said that he plans to invite the traffic police to give lectures on the traffic rules to visitors as well as free talks on driving safety.

"Having knowledge and the experience of driving safely would reduce accidents. If drivers are reminded about the traffic rules. This would stop them and other people from being killed by freak accidents."

Source: VNS