Risk to road users
Recently, public opinion has questioned the content stipulated in Decree 168/2024/ND-CP on the act of riding motorbikes on the sidewalk in violation of regulations, increasing the fine to 6 million VND is considered quite high.
Because, it is also driving on the sidewalk, causing damage to the sidewalk, but the act of stopping and parking a car on the sidewalk against regulations is only fined 1 million VND.
At the seminar: "Impact of traffic infrastructure on security, order and traffic safety" organized by Lao Dong Newspaper in Hanoi on the afternoon of January 16, Lieutenant Colonel Ta Thi Hong Minh, Deputy Head of the Department of Propaganda and Investigation, Traffic Accident Resolution, Traffic Police Department (Ministry of Public Security) - spoke about this content.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Ta Thi Hong Minh, up to now, violations and penalties for violations have been stipulated in the Decrees.
Recently, the drafting agency only proposed increasing the penalty level for some behaviors that pose a great risk of causing traffic accidents.
“The behavior of drivers driving on the sidewalk and even weaving and swerving will greatly affect other traffic participants, pedestrians and shops renting the sidewalk for business,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ta Thi Hong Minh.
Therefore, when motor vehicles move on the sidewalk (especially the act of driving on the sidewalk), there will be great potential risks to traffic participants.
“Before parking, cars must also drive on the sidewalk”
Assessing the difference in fines between the act of driving a motorbike on the sidewalk and the act of stopping and parking a car on the sidewalk, speaking at the Seminar, Architect Tran Huy Anh, Standing Member of the Hanoi Architects Association, assessed that regardless of the act of stopping or moving on the sidewalk, there should be deterrent measures.
“The penalty should also be fair between these two acts. Because, while motorbike drivers riding on the sidewalk cause unsafety for pedestrians and damage property such as pavement stones, for cars – drivers still have to climb onto the sidewalk to be able to stop and park.
This behavior can also lead to damage to public property and endanger pedestrians and other road users,” Architect Tran Huy Anh analyzed, emphasizing that when cars go up onto the sidewalk to stop and park, the sidewalk space will be narrowed, pedestrians will have no way to walk and have to walk on the road. This can also cause danger and insecurity for pedestrians.
Architect Tran Huy Anh said that the content that public opinion is questioning is well-founded, and on the part of the authorities, it is also necessary to make a comprehensive assessment and make recommendations to the authorities to help the traffic infrastructure as well as traffic participants be treated fairly in all situations based on the law.
