Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Fermented fruit lovers canbreathe a sigh of relief now police have confirmed that blood-alcohol levelsfall rapidly after consumption, meaning it's fine for them to drive homewithout being over the limit.

The alcohol level created by eating a small amount offermented fruit or cough syrup generally dissipated within two to five minutesafter consumption, Lieutenant General Vu Do Anh Dung, head of the TrafficPolice Department under the Ministry of Public Security, told Giao Thong(Transport) newspaper.

Since Decree 100/2019 and the Law on Alcohol Harm Preventionwhich bans drivers from drinking any alcohol took effect on January 1, drivershave raised concerns about eating fermented fruit or cough medicine.

At an online conference held by Giao Thong newspaper thisweek, Major Dao Viet Long, deputy head of Hanoi’s Traffic Police, said amongthe 84 cases in the city in the first seven days of this year, none involveddrivers that had eaten fruit.

Drivers were allowed to request a second breathalyser test ifthey wanted to prove they hadn't been drinking. They could also wait until thealcohol on their breath reached zero to take the test one more time, he said.

Since the new law took effect, drivers face stiff penaltiesif they are found to have consumed alcohol.

The maximum punishment for car drivers is a fine of 40million VND (1,740 USD), and a two-year ban.

Drunk motorbike drivers may face an 8 million VND (348 USD)penalty and have their driving licences revoked for two years.

Those who ride bicycles are subject to fines ranging from 400,000VND (174 USD) to 600,000 VND (261 USD) if they drink.

Bui Sy Loi, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly’sCommittee of Social Affairs, said on the first six days of the new year, thenumber of deaths caused by traffic accidents decreased by four compared toprevious years.

“I believe that the new regulation has brought a sense ofrelief to people. They are reminding each other not to drink and drive atparties, which is a positive sign,” he told the conference.

According to Tran Thi Xuan Hang from the Ministry of Health'sLegal Affairs Department, the Law on Alcohol Harm Prevention also regulateslocations that were allowed to sell alcohol, and includes stricter regulationson alcohol advertising.

Since January 1, off licences have been within a 100m radiusfrom educational and healthcare facilities.

The new law also stiffens penalties on driving withouthelmets, jumping traffic lights and taking the wrong lane.

Hang said the strict regulations were necessary becauseVietnam had one of the highest consumption rates of alcohol in the world. Inthe past five years, the level of pure alcohol consumed by each personincreased from 6.6 litres to 8.3 litres.

The ban on alcohol while driving was strongly supported by NationalAssembly deputies, and lawmakers looked to international examples for guidance.

Khuat Viet Hung, Vice Chairman of the National Committee onTraffic Safety, said putting Decree 100 into practice had demonstrated thedetermination of authorities to stop drink driving. Ten years ago, theregulation on wearing helmets was enforced amid controversy. Now an estimated15,000 lives had been saved and 500,000 head injuries had been prevented. Thishelped the country save a staggering 5.3 billion USD.

It shows that as long as the Government and ministries weredetermined, they would be successful, he said./.