Police and taxi driver criticised over car chase

Many members of public have expressed concern after a clip which showed the police in Uong Bi City chased after a taxi on crowded streets was posted on the internet.

Many members of public have expressed concern after a clip which showed the police in Uong Bi City in the northern province of Quang Ninh chased after a taxi on crowded streets was posted on the internet on July 5.

  

Police caught the taxi driver

At 3.56 pm in Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh Province, a Phu Binh Taxi car was seen swerving back and forth on the street after which it sped up when chased by police in a car and on a motorbike. Both the taxi and the police weaved through the street and even went on to opposite lane during the chase.

A driver caught the scenes on his dash cam and then recorded everything. At the end, the driver was able to block the taxi and helped the police catch the taxi driver.

Many people said the chase between the police and taxi driver was dangerous. The driver who captured the chase was also criticised.

Many people commented that the police could fine the driver later as it is a taxi car with clear number plate and name of the firm.

Colonel Vu Duc Tinh, head of Uong Bi Police Department, said, "The police had to chase after the taxi as it was weaving and swerving recklessly on the street and then drove away when the police appeared."

When being asked why the police had to engage in the chase and endangered other drivers and themselves when they could record the number plate for punishment, Tinh said the way the taxi was driving on the street was too dangerous so it had to be stopped quickly.