According to the reporter's records on the morning of January 16, after more than half a month since Decree 168/2024/ND-CP (abbreviated as Decree 168) officially took effect, the image of cars and motorbikes stopping neatly at red lights has become a familiar image on many roads and streets. The habit of participating in civilized traffic is gradually forming.
On Ring Road 3 (Pham Hung), Khuat Duy Tien, Duong Dinh Nghe, Nguyen Nhu Uyen (Hanoi)... people strictly obey traffic light signals.
Every day, traveling from Ring Road 3 (Pham Hung) to turn onto Duong Dinh Nghe Street, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Giang, a kindergarten teacher, said that in the past, many people ran red lights, drove in the wrong direction, and climbed the sidewalks frequently.
"Around 7am every day, this area is very crowded with many types of vehicles. However, since January 1, 2025, when very high fines for traffic violations were applied, people have strictly complied. Violations of red light violations are fined 20 million VND for cars and 6 million VND for motorbikes" - Ms. Giang shared.
Speaking with Lao Dong, Lieutenant Colonel Pham Van Chien - Captain of Traffic Police Team No. 6 (Traffic Police Department, Hanoi City Police) - said that since the implementation of Decree 168 with new fines, people have been more obedient when participating in traffic.
The number of traffic violations has decreased significantly compared to before. This has reduced congestion on some streets and helped vehicles move more smoothly.
Colonel Nguyen Quang Nhat - Head of the Department of Traffic Accident Investigation and Resolution, Traffic Police Department (Ministry of Public Security) - assessed that Decree 168 issued with many acts with increased penalties has had a profound impact on awareness, significantly raising the consciousness of traffic participants.
This is reflected in many issues. Firstly, traffic accidents have decreased in all three criteria, down 34.27% in the number of cases compared to the same period; down 11.41% in the number of deaths and 34.24% in the number of injuries. Thus, the decrease in the number of traffic accidents most directly reflects the change in awareness of road users.
"After 15 days, traffic safety violations have also decreased compared to the previous period. The number of violations detected and handled by the national traffic police force has decreased by 11.54%. The awareness of traffic participants has changed more positively" - Colonel Nguyen Quang Nhat said.
Colonel Nguyen Quang Nhat cited that in large cities, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, we have seen that at intersections, traffic participants have stopped seriously before the stop line. The situation of driving on the sidewalk, then turning left, turning right, and cutting in front of other vehicles has decreased significantly.
Mr. Nhat said that in the coming time, the Traffic Police force will continue to focus on forces and means to continue implementing solutions to ensure traffic order and safety, especially to ensure safety and smooth traffic during the Lunar New Year, the 2025 Spring Festival season, as well as entering 2025.
