Hanoi sends more cops to clear chaotic roads
Hanoi has deployed an extra 200 police officers to tackle the traffic congestion and gridlocks that have been plaguing its roads recently.
Starting on October 19, the taskforce are assigned to the streets during rush hour -- 6:30-8:30 a.m. and 4-7:30 p.m. -- to assist regular traffic police officers, according to police director Nguyen Duc Chung.
District police authorities have been ordered to mobilize all officers, militiamen and voluntary youths to regulate traffic, especially give instructions and encourage drivers to follow traffic laws to avoid accidents and gridlocks.
Chung also instructed them to throw the book at and quickly deal with offenders.
According to the city Department of Transport, the recent bad situation has been caused by the numerous construction projects and 23 sections that are vulnerable to flooding.
One of the streets with frequent gridlocks, some of which last for hours, is Nguyen Trai Street where two railway construction works are going on.
Many commuters complain that it often takes them several hours to travel just a few kilometers on major thoroughfares.