Cars stranded on Nguyen Trai street in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Phuong Son
Car drivers jumping red lights and driving in the wrong direction on one-way streets will be fined VND18-20 million (US$707-785) starting Jan. 1, more than tripling the previous VND4-6 million.
Failing to comply with traffic controllers’ orders and instructions will also attract the same amount of fine, according to a new decree.
Fines for other violations will also increase sharply, with those for endangering traffic safety and causing accidents by opening their doors going up from VND400,000-600,000 to VND20-22 million.
People caught driving with their feet on the steering wheel will be fined VND40-50 million, up from VND10-12 million.
Using handheld devices while driving will attract a fine of VND4-6 million, twice the current rates. Failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians, people in wheelchairs, or cyclists when making turns will also result in a fine of VND4-6 million.
Driving in the wrong direction, reversing or making a U-turn on a highway will each carry a VND30-40 million fine.
Motorcyclists will also face increased fines of VND4-6 million for running a red light (currently VND800,000-1 million), entering a highway (VND2-3 million) and driving in the wrong direction on one-way streets (VND1-2 million).
Not stopping or not staying at the scene after getting directly involved in an accident, altering an accident scene, not assisting victims or not reporting the accident promptly will be fined VND8-10 million, an increase from VND6-8 million.
A spokesperson for the Traffic Police Department said the harsher punishments are meant to deter violations and maintain safety and order at a time when nearly 500,000 new cars and two million new motorcycles hit the roads annually.
