ASEAN Traffic Police Forum adopts joint statement

Major General Tran Son Ha, head of the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - The first ASEAN Traffic Police Forum, an initiative of Vietnam, adopted a joint statement at its last meeting in Hanoi on November 22 encouraging the bloc’s policemen to foster coordination and share experience.

Throughout two working days, representatives from the nine ASEAN member states, excluding Brunei, have discussed a wide range of topics on traffic safety, including traffic police’s roles, investigations and statistics collection of traffic accidents, and the issuance of driving licenses.

Their discussion reflected similarities in traffic conditions of participating countries.

Most major cities in the region have been struggling against traffic jams and complicated road accidents.

These countries control traffic situations based on law and their maintenance of traffic safety is closely connected to the prevention of human and drug trafficking, particularly in the Philippines.

Traffic policemen are responsible for handling and collecting data of accidents with the application of advanced technologies.

The forum announced a joint statement, which affirms that the forum is an initiative of Vietnam, aiming to exchange experience in traffic law enforcement management among bloc members.

According to the statement, ASEAN member states will take turn to host the forum annually. They are encouraged to form a communications network to fight crime and provide technical support for each other.

Major General Tran Son Ha, head of the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security, said the statement suggests the ASEAN governments recognise driving licenses issued by the bloc’s members and soon agree on a common assessment for traffic accidents.

Johanes Agus Mulyono, Executive Director of Aseanapol Secretariat, lauded the organisation of the first forum, saying it is a great source of useful information.

He expected the forum to become an annual event on Aseanapol agenda.-VNA