Dangerous drivers exposed on the Internet

Recently, a number of utterly disturbing videos of reckless drivers in Vietnam have been unleashed on the Internet.

The videos, which include a female using her feet to drive and a man allowing his child to control the wheel, are a glimpse into what is actually a very dangerous and common trend that plagues the streets of Vietnam. The Vietnamese are renowned for their ability to fit anything and everything on a motorbike, including entire families. On a daily basis, one can easily observe a variety of dangerous actions by motorbike drivers. The point is, what kind and how many tragedies will it take before people use some common sense with regards to road safety.

The increase in and toughened penalties of traffic violations recently issued by police isn't changing anything. Nobody is deterred. It is a common sight to see young children on a motorbike. It's common to see young men screeching by doing wheelies. Horns are dangerously overused causing distractions and chaos. Babies are often carelessly placed on motorbikes both in back and in front of drivers and shockingly, the majority of them aren't wearing helmets. Helmets in general are used haphazardly and most of the helmets seen on the streets are more for fashion than for safety. Many of them are so cheaply manufactured it is doubtful they have any chance at actually saving a life.

Adults are required to wear helmets by law, why aren't children? More importantly, why aren't adults taking responsibility to keep their kids safe? Driving in Vietnam is a dangerous necessity and most people cannot afford a car which means a motorbike is the only option. Being the only option, it should be the responsibility of the drivers to keep that option as safe as possible. Citizens have a duty to protect themselves and others on the road.

Driving around with a child on your lap, steering the motorbike, isn't only totally irresponsible, it is practically a form of child abuse. What kind of message does that send to your child? Driving around using your feet is completely reckless and could cause accidents. Clearly, the current detterants aren't effective which means that more needs to be done. If you see somebody driving on the road endangering lives, I think you have a duty to let that person know it is unacceptable. It is time to avert tragedy before it happens, and it is time for drivers to be responsible. Driving should not be a right, it should be a privilege. Lets hope that tragedies can be averted and that common sense takes over before it is too late.