In July 2024, I received a notice of a fine from the Ha Tinh police sent to my home (in Hanoi) for driving under the red light. The first time I was fined, I felt sorry for the money, but every mistake has a price, I accepted the fine and considered it a lesson for myself. My colleague in Ha Tinh city said: "It's because I'm not used to having "cams" here, but everyone here knows that so people in Ha Tinh rarely get fined like this."
So later, when Decree 168 replaced Decree 100, I was not surprised by the information that in Hanoi, there were locations where traffic cameras were installed, but the number of out-of-province cars that were fined was much higher. For example, the section passing Bach Mai Hospital, Dong Tam Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi City had a no-stopping and no-parking sign that had been placed for a long time, but through the smart camera surveillance system at the intersections, it was determined that hundreds of out-of-province cars were caught and fined. Of course, the problem was not whether there were "cameras" or not, but that the drivers did not pay attention to the sign system.
According to the authorities, cold fines are a form of traffic violation penalties based on images recorded by surveillance cameras at roads and intersections. When a violation is detected, the authorities will send a notice of the violation to the vehicle owner and request them to come to work. Compared to the direct penalty method, this method helps increase transparency, objectivity and reduce procrastination. Cold fines through traffic cameras have a very positive effect of changing the habits of traffic participants. Hanoi has just issued Decision No. 319/QD-UBND approving the "Overall project on management of the centralized surveillance camera system in Hanoi". Accordingly, there will be about 40,210 cameras installed (of which PTZ cameras: 12,007 cameras; fixed cameras: 28,203 cameras) including: 23,736 cameras serving to monitor security, order and handle violations. 227 cameras for national defense. 16,247 cameras for monitoring state management of traffic safety, traffic infrastructure, environment, and urban order.
The addition of a large number of cameras (currently Hanoi has more than 19,000 cameras in operation) is considered as the city having more than 40,000 "magic eyes" which greatly raises people's awareness in complying with the law when participating in traffic, protecting the environment in the city or ensuring security and order in the capital.
In addition to participating in ensuring traffic, the "magic eyes" have the additional task of monitoring littering and air pollution...It is certain that these cameras do not disrupt people's lives, because in order to "not fine people coldly", what needs to be done is people's strict compliance every day.
