Lao Voices

What will be in store for Vientiane residents, pollutions and noises?

Traffic fumes, noise irk Vientiane residents

City dwellers are encountering more exhaust fumes and noise on the streets of Vientiane due to the increasing number of substandard vehicles.

Many people believe the fumes and noise could cause long-term health problems for those who spend a lot of time on the streets.

An official from the Vientiane Vehicle Control Unit, Mr Thongsouk Keosila, said more than 200,000 vehicles are registered in Vientiane , including trucks, cars and motorcycles. Only about 30 percent of these ever undergo a mechanical inspection.

“The owners of vehicles that produce excessive exhaust gas or do not match standard safety requirements ignore the recommendation for regular checks by the unit,” he said.

“If we were stricter about checking all vehicles registered by the unit, many more might meet the requirements.”

Mr Thongsouk urged the relevant sectors to increase monitoring and to encourage owners to take substandard vehicles for maintenance checks.

This would help to create a healthier environment in Vientiane and also minimise road accidents, many of which are caused by unsafe vehicles and claim the lives of people each year.

The Director of Vientiane’s Public Works and Transport Department, Mr Thongdam Xayphakatsa, said that to address the problem of substandard vehicles it would be necessary to restrict imports of second-hand vehicles.

“We have discussed this issue at several meetings, but decisions are yet to be made concerning the regulation of emissions and noise produced by substandard vehicles,” he said.

Officials said that some of the second-hand vehicles sold in Laos were considered worthless in other countries as they contributed to the degradation of the environment.

But, in a poor country such as Laos , such vehicles were in demand because that was all people on low incomes could afford.

Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr Nam Vinhaket told Vientiane Times during a National Assembly session last year that restrictions on second-hand vehicle imports were still up for debate.

Although Vientiane has yet to experience serious air pollution, it was necessary to determine the long-term consequences of today’s lax re gulations, officials said.

The Chief of the Vientiane Vehicle Control Unit, Mr Xiengvong Khammongkhoun, said many vehicles in Vientiane do not have working indicators and were in such poor condition they risked causing accidents.

People ignore the need to have their vehicles checked despite police having been deployed on the streets to inspect and fine owners of vehicles that do not measure up.

Vientiane residents often complain about excessive exhaust fumes, fearing the pollution can damage their health.

Vientiane authorities will inspect four vehicle technical inspection centres to see what advantages and shortcomings they need to address.

By Somsack Pongkhao
March 20, 2008
Vientiane Times - Vientianetimes.org.la