The Ministry of Public Security said that according to the provisions of Clause 6, Article 9 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, the act of "using a hand-held and using a phone or other electronic device while controlling a vehicle participating in traffic while traveling on the road" is a prohibited act.
Thus, according to the road traffic law, stopping a vehicle to answer the phone is not a prohibited act. However, when stopping a vehicle to answer the phone, the driver must comply with the provisions of Article 18 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety as follows:
There are signals to inform drivers of other road vehicles when they enter or exit the vehicle or park.
Does not affect pedestrians and vehicles participating in road traffic.
Drivers participating in road traffic are not allowed to stop or park at the following locations:
One-way left side of the road.
On a curved road or near the end of a slope where visibility is obstructed.
On the bridge, except in cases where traffic organization allows.
Under the overpass, except for places where parking is allowed.
In the same direction as another vehicle that was stopping and parking on the road.
From cars parked in the wrong direction less than 20 meters on a narrow street, less than 40 meters on the road, there is a lane for motor vehicles in one direction.
On the pedestrian section of the road.
The intersection and within 5 meters from the intersection.
pick-up and drop-off points.
In front of the gate and within 05 meters on both sides of the gate of the agency or organization's headquarters, there are roads for vehicles to enter and exit.
In places where the road is only wide enough for one lane for motor vehicles.
Within the safe railway area.
Hiding road signs and traffic lights.
On the road reserved for buses, on the mouth of drainage culverts, the mouth of phone lines, high-voltage power lines, and a place reserved for fire trucks to collect water; on the road, sidewalks in violation of the law.
According to the provisions of Clause 5, Clause 6, Clause 7 of Article 18 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, drivers of vehicles participating in road traffic when stopping or parking must comply with the following:
On the road, drivers participating in road traffic are only allowed to stop or park in areas with wide roadsides or land outside the road; in cases where the roadside is narrow or there is no roadside, they are only allowed to stop or park near the right edge of the road in the direction of travel.
On the street, drivers of vehicles participating in road traffic are only allowed to stop or park near the roadside or sidewalk on the right side of the road in the direction of travel; the nearest wheel must not be more than 0.25 meters from the roadside or sidewalk and must not cause obstruction or danger to people and vehicles participating in road traffic.
In case of technical problems or other force majeure that force parking, when parking a vehicle occupying a part of the road or in a place where parking is not allowed, there must be an emergency signal with lights or a warning sign is placed at the back of the vehicle so that drivers of other road vehicles know.
In addition to the above provisions, according to the provisions of Clause 10 of Article 7 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP of the Government on administrative sanctions for violations of traffic order and safety in the field of road traffic; deduction of points, restoration of driving license points, people driving a vehicle using umbrellas, audio equipment (except hearing aids), using hands-held phones and using other electronic devices that cause accidents will be fined from VND 10,000,000 to VND 14,000,000; at the same time, driving license points will be deducted by 04 points according to the provisions of Point b, Clause 13, Article 7.
"Thus, when stopping a vehicle on the phone, traffic participants need to comply with the regulations on stopping to avoid causing traffic obstruction and risks of causing traffic accidents. If there is a violation, they will be punished according to the provisions of the law," the Ministry of Public Security analyzed.
