An automobile being reversed on the Hà Nội-Hải Phòng Highway. The photo was taken by camera and sent to police. — Photo Courtesy of the Vietnam Infrastructure Development and Finance Investment Joint Stock Company

HÀ NỘI — Stiff fines could be on the way for some of the most dangerous traffic law infractions.

A draft decree being compiled by the Ministry of Transport includes harsher punishments for dangerous automobile driving on highways.

The draft would increase fines for reversing on a highway from VNĐ800,000-1.2 million (US$34-50) to VNĐ16-18 million ($690-780), and drivers could lose their licenses for 5-7 months instead of 1-3 months as at present.

Fines for making a U-turn on the highway would also increase from VNĐ400,000-600,000 ($17-26) to VNĐ5-7 million ($210-300), and drivers lose their licences for up to four months.

Driving in the wrong direction would also see a heavy fine of VNĐ16-18 million ($690-780), up from VNĐ5-7 million ($210-300). 

Trần Hữu Minh, deputy chief of the National Traffic Safety Committee, said the old punishment was not strong enough, especially for reversing on highways.

“This action seriously violates the laws, causing risks for people and threatens people’s lives,” said Minh.

Minh said the system of warning signs along highways in Việt Nam was not designed and installed well enough.

Specifically, the warning signs system must ensure repetition and distance between each other and supply enough information. — VNS