The Hanoi People's Committee has approved the building of at least 20 plate-glassed guard boxes at traffic “hot spots” to protect traffic police from the weather and hostile riders and drivers.

The 3sq.m structures will also provide a place for police to write infringement notices.

The guard boxes would be installed at key intersections in ten districts, including Hoan Kiem, Cau Giay, Hai Ba Trung and Thanh Xuan, said Hanoi Traffic Police Office director Nguyen Duy Ngoc.

Severe weather, together with the stress of heavy traffic, made work difficult for the traffic police.

“They don't even have a table to write notices and often use the saddles of their motorcycles to do the job,” he said.

The guard boxes were also essential to protect the traffic police from the cold, rain and heat.

The director said that almost 20 irate offenders had attacked traffic police so far this year.

Representatives of the municipal Planning and Architecture and Transport Departments said more research should be done to ensure the guard boxes did not threaten safety, and the vision of their occupants was not impaired, when they met with Hanoi Police officers to discuss the plan last Wednesday.

They also suggested the guard boxes should be portable.

The Hanoi Police plans to install some of the boxes by September followed by others across the city if they prove effective./.