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A three-wheel motor vehicle parked at the Cua Nam-Nguyen Khuyen crossroads in Ha Noi. From December 31, this type of vehicle will be banned to travel in the city. — VNA/VNS Photo Bui Tuong |
Under Government Decision No 548, all home-made vehicles, dilapidated trucks and unregistered and self-modified three and four-wheel motor vehicles, will no longer be given licences.
The regulation is aimed at reducing traffic jams and accidents.
To enable owners of these vehicles shift to other business, the Government has offered them financial aid to change to more modern vehicles.
However, many drivers prefer to use the three wheelers despite being blamed for accidents and creating congestion.
Duc Hung, a resident living on busy De La Thanh Street, in Ba Dinh District, said that the three-wheelers carried cumbersome loads of steel rods and pipes without covers.
He also accused them of speed-driving and creating traffic danger.
Others say that restrictions on light trucks from travelling at certain hours on many streets, especially the Old Quarter, has created a window of opportunity for the three wheelers.
Lack of strict management and inspections by police and other authorities has created a perfect situation for the three-wheelers to prosper.
Many impersonate war invalids so that they can use the vehicles without registration, documents or number plates.
But genuine veterans, like Nguyen Van Thang, said the three-wheelers had enabled him to make a living since the war, but he was now concerned about his future.
"We had to borrow around VND20 million (US$1,025) to purchase the vehicle. We do not know what job should we change to, although the Government has promised us some money to stop using them," he said.
Lieutenant-colonel Tran Ngoc Anh from Ha Noi's Police said three-wheel vehicles owned by war invalids were allowed to carry people but not goods.
He said it was difficult to punish drivers who did not have number plates, registration or driving licences.
Ha Minh Tuan, deputy head of O Cho Dua Ward Police, said there was a shortage of space to hold condemned vehicles.
According to the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the city has about 500 three-wheelers. — VNS
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