A blind man, driving his family around on a motorbike, has become a regular sight in Nghe An, sparking outrage among some residents.
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| A dangerous endeavor. |
Despite being completely blind, the man travels on motorbike everyday. Although some admire this man’s determination to drive, most are outraged and think it is extremely reckless and dangerous behaviour.
Le Dinh Hau, 30 years old, of Quynh Tam Commune, Quynh Luu District, has been blind since he was 4 as the result of a childhood landmine accident. Growing up, Hau envied his friends for their being able to ride a bicycles while he was forbidden to even try. However, with determination, Hau practised by himself, despite the countless times he fell and countless bruises he had from the experience.
Later, Hau started a family of his own. His wife selling wood logs and toothpicks became the main source of income for the family making Hau desperate to help. It was then that Hau and his wife decided having a motorbike would help make their lives easier. With his wife behind his back, Hau riding a motorbike on the roads of his commune has become a regular phenomenon.
It has also raised serious safety issues and question from the public. Many fear that Hau’s behaviour poses a great threat not only to himself, but to his family and others on the road.
DTiNews spoke to Colonel Tran Son, Deputy Director of the Traffic Accidents Investigation and Legal Instruction Unit (under the Road and Railway Traffic Police Department, Ministry of Public Security).
He said, “I am very concerned about Hau’s behaviour. He is putting the lives of himself and others at risk. It’s understandable that people with a disability have the need to carry out their daily activities. However, this is not a safe and appropriate way to travel for someone like Hau. He may be able to ride the motorbike under the guide of his wife, but with so many reckless drivers on the road nowadays, I don’t think he can respond quickly enough to prevent accidents from happening."
"Even people with good eyesight sometimes can’t, let alone someone with no eyesight at all. Besides, the current road infrastructure in Vietnam is very poor, with potholes, speed bumps and road construction sites everywhere, underlying factors that could easily cause road accidents,” he added.
According to Tran Son, Hau’s ability to drive is not a special gift, but merely the result of hard and long practice, along with the guidance provided by his wife. Hau, in fact, has violated two important regulations in Vietnam’s Traffic Laws; driving with no license and driving without meeting physical health requirements to operate a motor vehicle.
In accordance with the government’s Decree No.34, Hau will be fined an amount of VND 120,000 - 200,000 (USD 6 - 10) and his motorbike will be confiscated for 10 days.
Tran Son added that people with visual impairments should not try to drive, even with help from their family. It should be the responsibility of the family to take them and be in control of the vehicle in order to ensure the safety of the roads.
Everyday Hau drives his wife and their daughter or son on the bike.
As a visually impaired man, Hau insists on driving, despite breaking the law.
