Decree 168/2024/ND-CP (Decree 168) on sanctioning administrative violations in the field of road traffic stipulates that from January 1, 2026, 2 more traffic violations related to carrying children in cars will be officially sanctioned.
Drivers of cars, four-wheeled vehicles with engines, four-wheeled cargo vehicles with engines and similar types of cars violating road traffic rules if carrying children under 10 years old and under 1.35 m tall sitting in the same row of seats as the driver (except for cars with only one row of seats) or not using appropriate safety equipment for children as prescribed will be penalized.
The penalty for drivers who violate this act is from 800,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND (point m, clause 3, Article 6 of Decree 168).
In addition, from January 1, 2026, the act of using a business transport vehicle to transport preschool children and elementary school students or a business transport vehicle combined with transportation activities for preschool children and elementary school students but without a safety belt suitable for the age group or without seats suitable for the age group will also be penalized.
The penalty for this violation is from 3,000,000 VND to 4,000,000 VND for individuals; from 6,000,000 VND to 8,000,000 VND for transport business organizations, transport support services (according to point e, clause 4, Article 26 of Decree 168).
Previously, the Traffic Police Department said that the recommendation for people to use safe seats for children in cars is not a new content, but has been propagated by functional agencies for many years and in fact, many drivers have implemented it.
According to the Traffic Police Department, functional agencies always take the safety factor of the people as the top goal. Using safety equipment for children in cars is similar to wearing helmets when participating in traffic by motorbike.
The Traffic Police Department also recommends that people can choose to use children's seat belts, children's seats or children's cushions on cars, as long as they are suitable for the child's physical condition, family conditions and vehicle usage conditions. These devices all have the effect of protecting and minimizing the risk of injury for children when traffic incidents occur.
According to a representative of the Traffic Police Department, the law has clearly stipulated that children under 10 years old and under 1.35 m tall are not allowed to sit in the front seats of cars and are required to use safety equipment. This regulation stems from many scientific and practical grounds.
First, for children under 1.35 m tall, using seat belts for adult vehicles will not ensure safety when a collision occurs, because the seat belts can directly impact the neck and head of children, posing a potential risk of serious injury.
Second, in terms of age, children over 10 years old often have the ability to perceive and comply with adults' instructions better, while children under 10 years old are still active, need to be closely monitored and protected with specialized safety equipment.
Third, this regulation is built on the basis of many studies and recommendations according to international standards before being put into Vietnamese law. Reality shows that hugging children in the arms while sitting in a car is not safe. When a collision occurs or just the driver brakes suddenly, children may be thrown forward, causing serious injuries.
