 |
Traffic is heavy on HCM City's Binh Trieu Bridge. A decree has imposed higher fines on driving violations. — VNA/VNS Photo Hoang Hai |
The decree, which has been in force since May 20, imposes higher fines for traffic violations.
Traffic fines were increased from 40-200 per cent compared to the previously relevant Decree 146, which was issued in 2007, said Vo Van Van, deputy chief of the city police's Road Police Division.
For example, drivers who park their cars in forbidden zones or drive in the wrong lanes will be fined VND1.4-2 million (US$73-105) under the new decree as opposed to VND100-200 (US$5.2-10.5) under the previous decree.
The new decree has helped cut down on the number of accidents and traffic jams in the city. In the first half of this year, the city reported 485 accidents, 76 fewer than during the same period last year, said Van.
"Public awareness about traffic laws has also been improved," he said.
The problem of drivers using the wrong lanes has decreased sharply, especially on National Highway 1A, he added.
"Since Decree 34 was put into force, my colleagues and I drive much more carefully because if we were to break the rules, the fine would be equal to one month's salary," said taxi driver Le Hoang Hai.
Some residents have praised the new decree.
"Strict fines help change bad driving habits," said Thai Thi Thanh Tra, a resident of Go Vap District.
However, several limitations remained, said Van.
Under Decree 34, pedestrians will be fined VND60,000-120,000 for disobeying traffic lights or climbing over separation barriers, but most pedestrians do not carry any money or identity papers so police cannot make a report or fine them, said Van.
"In a crowded city like HCM City, many pedestrians violate traffic laws," he said.
In the first six months of the year, pedestrians who disobeyed traffic laws caused 26 accidents, 10 more than the same period last year, which resulted in 19 deaths.
The decree also prohibits people for from encroaching on the pavement for private purposes, such as doing business. Violators will be fined VND20-30 million (US$1,052-1,578).
"Most violators are poor people who sell vegetables or meat. The fines are too high for them and are not suitable with reality," Van said.
The decree also regulates that drivers carrying children older than 6-years who are not wearing helmets will be fined, but it's difficult for police to assess children's' ages, he said.
"Many parents lie when asked about their child's age by a police officer," Van said.
Police officers can do nothing about illegally parked cars with absent drivers.
"I think the decree should be amended to allow police officers to take photos of illegally parked cars in order to fine the driver by mail," said Van. — VNS
No comments:
Post a Comment