Difficulties in supervision
Drivers and passengers on cars (including passenger cars) must fasten seat belts in places equipped with seat belts when participating in road traffic. However, reality shows that there are still many passengers on passenger cars who do not comply with regulations.
Mr. N.T. M (passenger car driver on the Hai Phong - Son La route) shared that when passengers got on the car, he and the assistant driver reminded passengers to absolutely comply with the safety belt regulation throughout the journey. However, Mr. T.M admitted "it is very difficult to control".
Customers are already few, just driving is a loss, so we try to comply well with all regulations to avoid being penalized further. Regarding the seat belt, it is very difficult for the bus company to monitor the entire journey. It is possible that at first people fasten it, but then remove it for some reason that the driver or assistant driver cannot detect in time.
We really hope that all passengers understand that fastening seat belts is protecting themselves, and from there proactively comply," Mr. N.T. M shared.
Sharing the same opinion as above, Mr. N.V.H (driver of the Hanoi - Ninh Binh route) said that his car is a 29-seater type, so monitoring is somewhat "easier than sleeper buses". However, Mr. N.V.H also admitted that many times he has not been able to cover everything.
According to PV's records, in the face of the increasing number of passengers before Tet, many long-distance bus companies have proactively warned passengers about regulations to ensure safe and convenient trips. These include regulations on fastening seat belts throughout the journey.
Sharing with PV, Mr. V.V.X (passenger car driver on the Hanoi - Nghe An route) said that the unit will strengthen reminders for passengers before and during the journey, and at the same time be ready to refuse to serve passengers who intentionally do not comply with the safety belt regulations.
We are aware that drivers bear the highest responsibility for the safety of passengers in the car. Drivers are also penalized if passengers do not fasten their seat belts. We really hope that each passenger will voluntarily comply so that the trip is safe and convenient, especially Tet is very near," Mr. V.V.X shared.
Strengthen control
Implementing the order of the Director of the Traffic Police Department - Ministry of Public Security, highway traffic police teams have mobilized maximum forces and vehicles, organized strict inspection and control and strictly handled violations. In which, many drivers and passengers have been fined for the act of not fastening seat belts at equipped positions when the vehicle is running.
According to the latest statistics, from January 27-28, 2026, Highway Traffic Police Team No. 6 (Team 6), Room 6, Traffic Police Department has made records of penalties for 13 drivers for the act of "Carrying people on a car without fastening the seat belt (at locations equipped with seat belts) when the car is running", according to Point l, Clause 3, Article 6, Decree 168/2024/ND-CP, the fine is from 800,000 to 1,000,000 VND.
Making a record for 33 passengers for the act of "Falling the seat belt (at locations equipped with seat belts) when the car is running", according to Clause 4, Article 12, Decree 168/2024/ND-CP, the fine is from 350,000 to 400,000 VND.
According to the assessment of the traffic police force, not fastening seat belts is still a common violation on highways, especially for passengers on sleeper buses. Meanwhile, fastening seat belts is not only a mandatory requirement of the law but also the most direct and effective measure to protect the lives of everyone when participating in traffic by car.
Reality shows that in many traffic accidents, wearing seat belts has significantly reduced the level of injury, reduced the risk of death and loss of life," the Traffic Police Department informed.
Especially, when vehicles travel on steep, winding roads with many dangerous curves or in bad weather conditions, the risk of accidents is always latent. In these situations, seat belts are likened to "life shields", helping to keep the body stable, avoiding being thrown or hit hard when unexpected incidents occur.
The Traffic Police Department recommends that, for the safety of themselves and the community, everyone needs to develop the habit of fastening seat belts every time they get on the bus, whether sitting in a seat or lying in bed.
