VietNamNet Bridge – Transport Development Consultative Centre director Le Thu Huyen discussed the direction of transportation policy with the newspaper Khoa hoc & Doi song (Science & Life).

The Ministry of Transport has just issued a draft strategy on traffic safety by 2020 with the vision until 2030. Isn't it too late to issue a draft now?

It is hard to say whether this is too soon or too late. But I think it is never too late. The most important thing is whether we do something or not, and how we do it, meaning we don't say one thing and do another.

Is it common for things to be said, then something else done?

I want to say that combined measures must be put forward. Traffic systems, and urban traffic systems in particular, always comprise such factors as infrastructure facilities, means of transport, types of vehicles, road users, and regulations. If we focus only on one solution or a specific group, it will lead to shortcomings.

The draft proposes a restriction in the increase of motorbikes to reduce traffic accidents, congestion and pollution. Are motorbikes ‘guilty'?

No, motorbikes are not guilty, despite surveys concluding that over 75 per cent of traffic accidents were caused by motorbikes but I don't totally agree with this opinion.

Why ?

Facts have shown the high numbers of motorbikes are satisfying the vast majority of transport demand, so of course the number of accidents related to motorbikes isn't small. The thing is we are still influenced by the so-called "habitual statistic method" which infers 95 per cent of traffic accidents are caused by motorbikes after finding 95 out of 100 traffic accidents are related to motorbikes. It is impossible to provide better statistics, but other reasons should be taken into account, too.

Could you elaborate about ‘other reasons'?

The reasons for traffic accidents are varied. There must be a combination of different factors taken into account to determine the reasons for traffic accidents. Therefore, don't fully blame motorbikes.

Do you mean restricting the increase of motorbikes doesn't help reduce traffic accidents?

In my opinion, motorbikes are not the sole issue that we need to solve, it is individual vehicles in general; as it would be a big deal if everyone rushed to buy cars after being banned from buying motorbikes. A sizeable number of people in the society can afford to buy cars now.

Which would be the option for people if motorbikes and other individual vehicles were restricted?

Public buses would be a matter of course. They will either save money or reduce traffic jams and the impact of environmental pollution.

Do you ever take a bus?

Yes, I sometimes go to my office by bus. It is very crowded during rush hours. Passengers had to elbow one another and did not have enough seats.

How about the quality of buses?

Quality of buses began improving in Ha Noi during 2002-03. Since then, transport enterprises have taken different measures to make it even better. However, still many issues need to be discussed about the quality of bus system. The current traffic infrastructure also makes it difficult for people living in small streets and alleys to access buses.

Do you think people are interested in using buses?

Buses are merely competitive compared with motorbikes in terms of price. But I believe from now until the restriction on motorbike purchases comes into effect, we'll have enough time to improve the quality of public transport. Express bus routes have begun operating in Ha Noi. This is a favourable development in terms of attracting passengers.

How will the restriction on motorbike sales affect people?

We must make the decision based on the actual situation and it is vital that we don't make idle threats. Of course, restricting the increase of motorbikes is only a draft policy, therefore it could be corrected. I am still inclined to support the restriction on all individual vehicles including motorbikes.

Let's say restrictions on individual vehicle use came into effect, do you think it would be feasible?

Yes, I believe it would.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News