Police Issue 15 Ban Rules, Prohibit Drunk Driving Over Lao New Year

Source: Vientiane Times

The General Police Department, Ministry of Public Security recently issued 15 banning rules in regards to the celebration of Lao New Year during April 14-16, included in the 15, drunk drivers are strictly prohibited to ensure road safety, security and orderly traffic.

According to the Ministry’s notice No 12, issued on March 31 informed that drunk drivers are strictly prohibited from driving, notice, if break a rule, authorities will hold you until you feel better, then call relatives or a friend to pick you up.

Other rules included are, drivers must respect as well as strictly follow all traffic rules.

Do not drive over the speed limit, buses will not be permitted to go faster than 80 km/hour on the national roads, especially in the countryside.

Drivers and passengers on motorcycles should wear helmets at all times during travel, banning to drive motorcycles as a group or overtaking each other on roads.

Car drivers and passengers must wear seatbelts in ensuring road safety, strictly banning pickup trucks to allow passengers to sit in the cargo area.

Buses used for travelling to provinces should have a standby driver, before starting to travel, drivers should also check all technical situations.

Banning the use of water tanks on pickup trucks and splashing each other while travelling on the roads.

New Year celebrators should not fill ice in small bags to at throw each other as a part of avoiding traffic accidents, parents are not allowed to let children under the age of 18 to drive alone on the roads.

The notice pointed out if pedestrians or drivers break the rules, they will be educated and or fined in each ease.

Last year, the Ministry of Public Security reported 1,031 people were killed in road accidents throughout 2020, while 10,027 injuries were recorded.

Meanwhile, some 6,774 accidents occurred on Lao roads last year with 12,007 vehicles damaged.