Easy to rent a car, difficult to control
Over the past time, the situation of foreigners driving motorbikes violating traffic laws in Khanh Hoa has caused much concern.
Images and clips continuously appear on social networks recording scenes of some foreign tourists not wearing helmets, running at high speed.
Even foreign tourists swerved or had offensive behavior when driving large displacement motorbikes on central roads such as Tran Phu Street, Pham Van Dong Street or Nguyen Tat Thanh Avenue.
Notably, many serious traffic accidents involving foreigners are identified as originating from alcohol use, lack of understanding or disregard for traffic safety regulations in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, motorbike rentals at tourist areas used to be quite easy. Many establishments only needed to take photos of passports or have a Vietnamese guarantor to ensure that foreign tourists could receive vehicles circulating on the road.
According to reporters' records, after a series of serious accidents involving foreigners, motorbike rental activities in Nha Trang have been tightened.
Ms. O.L said that currently car rental establishments require foreign customers to present valid international driver's licenses to receive the car.
In case we do not have an international driver's license, we do not rent them out. Currently, functional agencies impose very heavy penalties, in some cases, the car will be permanently confiscated if the car is handed over to a foreigner who does not meet the driving conditions," Ms. O.L said.
According to the owner of this facility, in the past time, many units have been handled and vehicles confiscated for leasing motorbikes to foreigners without valid driver's licenses to participate in traffic.
Not only for international tourists, a motorbike rental facility owner in Bac Nha Trang ward said that domestic tourists who do not have a suitable driver's license will also be refused to rent out to avoid legal risks when functional forces inspect.
Do not assist traffic violations
Faced with the above situation, Nha Trang Ward People's Committee requests motorbike rental service businesses to strengthen compliance with legal regulations to ensure a safe tourism environment.
Mr. Tran Xuan Tay - Chairman of Nha Trang Ward People's Committee said that motorbike rental activities serving tourists have developed strongly in recent times, contributing to promoting local service economy and tourism.
However, besides the positive aspects, this type also poses a risk of traffic unsafety and law violations if management is loosened.
According to the request of Nha Trang Ward People's Committee, vehicle rental establishments must be fully registered for business, ensuring operating conditions according to regulations; only hand over vehicles to people with valid driver's licenses and sufficient conditions to drive vehicles.
The locality also requires absolutely not to hand over the vehicle to people who have used alcohol, stimulants or do not have a driver's license.
Rental vehicles must have valid papers such as vehicle registration, insurance; be regularly technically inspected and equipped with standard helmets.
Leaders of Nha Trang Ward People's Committee emphasized that violations will be strictly handled according to legal regulations.
Vehicle rental establishments need to proactively coordinate with local police forces to promptly report incidents, signs of violations and not assist in illegal acts.
