Emissions from cars and motorcycles are one of the factors leading to air pollution in Hanoi, seriously threatening living environment of the capital's residents, according to local media.Currently, Hanoi has about 6.5 million vehicles, including some two million coming in from other localities, of which about 90% are motorcycles.
Vehicle emissions directly affects human health. Photo: Hai Linh
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A survey shows that of the six air pollution sources in Hanoi, emissions of motorbikes and cars account for 70%.
According to statistics from the Municipal Traffic Police Division, almost three million old motorcycles aged 15 or over in Hanoi represent not only a danger to drivers and people, but also a serious source of pollution in the city.
Many people believe that Hanoi needs to quickly take measures to restrict private vehicles, especially in areas with high risk of traffic congestion and air pollution.
“Hanoi wishes to have more time to develop its public transport system, to better meet the residents’ travel needs and then gradually curb private vehicles. However, for the current pollution in the city, if the authority does not take actions immediately, Hanoi’s air quality may worse," transport expert Dang Chi Nga said.
He added that the policy of curbing the number of motorcycles, especially in areas with high population density and traffic, is right and urgent for the residents’ benefit.
In the next few years, the number of vehicles in Hanoi may increase by millions, which means traffic congestion and environmental pollution will be more serious.
Therefore, the Vietnamese government needs to issue the policy soon, as a legal basis for Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City as well as the whole country to effectively control emissions from motorcycles.
In the context that the majority of people still have to use motorbikes every day, the most feasible measure is to check emissions periodically to limit the sources of pollution, according to experts.
