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Vietnam's ministry of health has prompted comment and bemusement in the country after saying that people with chests measuring less than 720mm will no longer be allowed to drive motorcycles. The proposal comes as part of health criteria requiring Vietnam's drivers to be in good physical health to try to improve safety on the roads in a country where motorcycles account for 90% of vehicle traffic. However many Vietnamese people are slight of stature and this particular proposal has generated considerable amu
July 6, 2012 Read time: 1 min
Vietnam's ministry of health has prompted comment and bemusement in the country after saying that people with chests measuring less than 720mm will no longer be allowed to drive motorcycles. The proposal comes as part of health criteria requiring Vietnam's drivers to be in good physical health to try to improve safety on the roads in a country where motorcycles account for 90% of vehicle traffic. However many Vietnamese people are slight of stature and this particular proposal has generated considerable amusement as well as negative comment. Many have suggested that such rules could be beaten by silicon implants, although these would only be an option for the minority of affluent city dwellers. Questions have also been asked as to whether police will employ tape measures to check on drivers who they suspect of having too small a chest.

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