Increase traffic violation fines
The Hanoi People's Committee is seeking comments on a draft resolution stipulating fines for a number of administrative violations in the field of road traffic in the area. There are 107 traffic violations proposed to increase the fines by 1.5 - 2 times compared to Decree 168/2024.
According to the draft Resolution regulating fines for a number of administrative violations in the field of road traffic in Hanoi, which is being consulted, violations will have their fines increased based on the following criteria: Common in nature; causing accidents, traffic jams; negatively affecting public order and traffic infrastructure.
These include acts of not complying with instructions, road markings, and traffic signs; entering prohibited roads; driving in the wrong part of the road or lane; stopping and parking illegally; speeding; carrying or loading goods that are overweight; violating alcohol concentration; weaving; honking, revving the engine; and some violations in driver training, testing, and licensing, vehicle registration, use of roads and sidewalks, and transportation business.
In particular, the violation of parking where there is a "no parking" sign or a "no stopping and parking" sign; the violation of stopping and parking on the roadway of pedestrians - with Decree 168, the fine is from 600,000 - 800,000 VND, but in Hanoi's Resolution, it increases to 1.2 - 1.6 million VND.
The penalty for driving a vehicle over the speed limit from 10 to 20 km/h, Decree 168 imposes a fine of 4-6 million VND, but Hanoi's Resolution is expected to raise it to 8-12 million VND; the penalty for driving a vehicle over the speed limit from 20 km/h to 35 km/h, Decree 168 imposes a fine of 6-8 million VND, but Hanoi's Resolution is expected to raise it to 12-16 million VND.
The penalty for driving at a speed exceeding the prescribed speed limit by more than 35 km/h is 12-14 million VND under Decree 168, while Hanoi's Resolution is expected to increase the fine to 24-28 million VND.
However, it is worth noting that among the 107 traffic violations for which Hanoi plans to increase the fines, there is no regulation on the fine for illegal parking of cars on the road or on the sidewalk. However, for illegal parking on the sidewalk, the fine for motorbikes is expected to be 800-1.2 million VND.
Not regulating additional fines for cars on sidewalks is inappropriate.
For many years, the problem of parking cars on sidewalks has become a problem in the capital city because it cannot be completely solved. Many vehicle owners park on sidewalks, block doors, park right under no-parking signs, and even park on the roadway reserved for pedestrians.
A survey by Lao Dong Newspaper reporters on some roads and streets in Dong Da, Cau Giay, Thanh Xuan, and Hoang Mai districts showed that people park their cars on sidewalks and roadsides quite often.
Not only are wide roads and sidewalks occupied for parking, but many narrow sidewalks have also become car parking lots, encroaching on pedestrian walkways. In particular, in alleys and streets in urban areas, or in front of apartment buildings, commercial buildings combined with offices, etc., violations are even more common.
Similarly, on streets such as Thai Ha, Huynh Thuc Khang, O Cho Dua, Le Trong Tan, Le Van Luong, Hoang Cau, etc., the situation of cars parking on the sidewalk and roadway is also quite common, especially in areas with headquarters of large agencies and enterprises. Many people consider the sidewalk as a fixed parking space, covering their cars with tarpaulins from early morning to late afternoon.
Speaking with Lao Dong, Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh (former Chairman of the Vietnam Automobile Transport Association) said that he agrees with Hanoi when planning to increase fines for traffic violations to concretize the Capital Law, aiming to reduce traffic congestion and accidents, and gradually build a traffic culture.
"Traffic organization in Hanoi still has many shortcomings, while Hanoi is the capital, representing the face of the whole country, so traffic must be more orderly than in other provinces and cities.
The increase in fines is based on the Capital Law, allowing Hanoi to make specific decisions, such as raising fines for traffic violations by 1.5-2 times compared to the general regulations of the whole country," Mr. Thanh said.
However, Mr. Thanh said that among the 107 violations expected to have increased penalties, they are still “not specific”, so it is necessary to select some violations that affect the traffic appearance of the capital and punish them severely. In addition to increasing the penalty level, additional penalties should be included.
He cited the situation of teenagers organizing racing, weaving and swerving, affecting traffic safety. In addition to handling violators, it is necessary to consider the responsibility of the family, to serve as a deterrent, demonstrating urban order and civilization.
"Hanoi needs to select violations to punish severely, maybe less than 107 acts as in the draft resolution," he said.
Regarding the violation of parking cars on the sidewalk, currently, the draft Resolution has not yet stipulated an increased fine for cars. Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh said that this is not appropriate.
"Cars parking on the sidewalk is unacceptable, so it is necessary to increase the fine for this behavior, even prohibit parking on the sidewalk," said Mr. Thanh, adding that if there is no regulation to increase the fine for this behavior, the problem of cars "ruining" the sidewalk will never be solved.
