Decree 168/2024 has been applied to some extent to improve people's traffic awareness, because administrative fines have increased many times.
However, in recent days, traffic congestion has become more serious on many central roads in Ho Chi Minh City.
Part of the reason is believed to be that people limit right turns at red lights if there is no sign indicating that the turn is allowed.
According to Lao Dong, on January 9, although it was not rush hour, traffic congestion and jams occurred on many routes such as Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Dien Bien Phu...
At around 11am, on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, a queue of vehicles was recorded stretching hundreds of meters.
Waiting for the red light at the Nguyen Thi Minh Khai - Nam Ky Khoi Nghia intersection, Ms. Nhu Quynh (Thu Duc City) said that she had waited for two red lights but still could not move through the intersection.
"I was about to turn onto Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street to cross Vo Van Kiet Street but I didn't dare turn right for fear of being fined. Now running a red light is a serious offense. If I'm not careful, I'll lose half a month's salary," said Ms. Quynh.
Similarly, Ms. Yen Xuan, driving from Le Duan Street turned onto Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street to enter Nguyen Du Street, but after going through two red lights, Ms. Xuan still had not finished the long distance of only about 200 meters.
"In the past, when the red light was on, many people often turned right, but now the fine is high, people don't dare to turn anymore. I hope the authorities will consider installing more signs to make it easier for people to move around, because allowing motorbikes to turn right at red lights does not affect traffic, just pay attention to give way to pedestrians," Ms. Xuan said.
On the afternoon of January 9, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Loi - Deputy Head of the Traffic Safety Committee of Ho Chi Minh City said that the regulation on penalizing the act of turning right at a red light without the command from the authorities, auxiliary signs, traffic lights, lane islands or crosswalks has been issued for a long time. This regulation aims to ensure traffic safety, especially for pedestrians.
However, due to high traffic density and inadequate infrastructure, many people in Ho Chi Minh City have formed the habit of turning right at red lights.
Regarding this issue, a representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport also said that they have received information about traffic jams when people stop at red lights and do not turn right on many roads.
"The Department is reviewing and considering the installation of additional traffic lights to allow some vehicles to turn right and left at some intersections in the management area, in order to limit the number of vehicles stopping and waiting for a long time, causing congestion," said a representative of the Department of Transport.
