Transport ministry eliminates helmet penalty after public outcry

Ministry of Transport's proposal to fine sub-standard helmet users encountered public protest. File Photo

HA NOI (VNS)– Motorbike users will not receive a fine for wearing sub-standard helmets while travelling on the road, the transport ministry announced.

In a recent proposal that outlines penalties for a range of violations committed by road and railway users, the ministry listed wearing sub-standard helmets among violations that would be subject to fines. Wearing a poor helmet could incur a fine up to VND200,000.

However, the ministry quickly removed this from the list after vociferous public protest.

Nguyen Van Quyen, deputy director of the ministry's Directorate for Roads of Viet Nam, said that given the fact that there were 30 million motorbike users nationwide whose helmets came from different sources, more time was needed to sort things out before introducing such a fine.

Millions of helmets in Viet Nam lack a quality stamp. - VNS