Starting August 1, highway traffic fines will increase sharply, thanks to a new decree.
The hike in traffic fines deals specifically with Vietnam’s highways, cracking down on motorbike drivers who use car-only expressways as well as cyclists and pedestrians, reports VietnamNet.
Next month, motorbike drivers caught driving on car-only highways will face fines between VND500,000 and VND4 million, a sharp increase from the current VND200,000 – VND400,000 penalty.
Cyclists will be required to pay VND400,000 – VND600,000 for the same violation, triple the current fine, while pedestrians found walking on the highway will face a VND100,000 – VND200,000 penalty.
For those vehicles permitted to travel on Vietnam’s highways, a VND6 million fine will be levied against vehicles for parking or picking up and dropping off passengers on the highway.
Hoang The Tung, deputy director of the Ministry of Transport’s Traffic Safety Department told VietnamNet the fines were increased in an effort to deter such violations. Tung also called upon management agencies to properly monitor roadways and strictly enforce the new regulations in order to prevent traffic accidents.
Chairman Bui Danh Lien of Hanoi’s Transport Association also supports the move, according to VietnamNet. Lien told the news outlet that traffic violations, particularly on highways, have risen in recent years.
Though the Ministry of Transport has enacted information campaigns in an effort to raise awareness regarding traffic laws and highway safety, accidents continue to occur.
In addition to increasing public awareness, Lien also acknowledged the need for better highway design, as walking bridges and roadside pick-up locations are few and far between on Vietnam’s current highways. Due to the distance between such features, pedestrians and bus drives are often left with no choice.
[Photo via Zing]
