VietNamNet Bridge – Transport businesses will have their business licenses suspended for up to three months if they are involved in accidents that lead to three or more fatalities, according to a new law that goes into effect in December.

Under the decree on regulations for transport companies that use motor vehicles, businesses will have their licenses permanently revoked if the offense is repeated within three years following the first citation.— Photo dantri

Under the decree on regulations for transport companies that use motor vehicles, businesses will have their licenses permanently revoked if the offense is repeated within three years following the first citation.

All drivers would also be required to undergo regular health check-ups and professional training as part of measures to help reduce traffic accidents, said Vice Chairman of the National Steering Committee for Traffic Safety Khuat Viet Hung at a press briefing held recently to introduce the new decree.

He said many traffic accidents were the results of drivers' lack of awareness, as well as weak professional skills and substandard health conditions.

The regulation also requires al transport service operators to equip their vehicles with black boxes - devices installed in vehicles that monitor their operation. The technical data recorded in a black box can help police discover violations performed by drivers and reveal the causes of traffic accidents based on speed and braking information.

Under the new regulation, contracted coaches - those with short-term contracts to operate on certain routes - must report and update their information with provincial transport departments everyday, informing authorities of their schedules, the number of passengers, and points of departure and arrival.

Deputy Head of the Viet Nam Road Administration Nguyen Van Quyen said the number of contracted coaches was big, making it difficult to manage their operation without stricter regulations.

Earlier this month, 13 people were killed and nearly 40 others were injured when the driver of a contracted sleeper bus, owned by Sao Viet (Viet Star) Company, lost control of the vehicle on a route from the tourist town of Sa Pa to Lao Cai City in Lao Cai Province.

The accident occurred as the bus was returning from taking some passengers to Sa Pa - a trip violating regulations prohibiting the driver from going beyond Lao Cai.

VNA/VNN