VietNamNet Bridge – The Hanoi People’s Committee has asked the Ministry of Justice’s permission to double fines on traffic violations in the city’s inlying area and seize vehicles of illegal racers.



According to the city authorities, after raising traffic fines on some kinds of violation, on a trial basis, from May 20, 2010, to March 15, 2012, the local traffic police agency punished over 1.13 million cases, collecting nearly VND290 billion (over $14.5 million) of fines.

Of the number, nearly 862,000 cases occurred in the city’s inner area, fined totaling nearly VND150 billion ($7.5 million). Popular violations include going in wrong lanes, crossing red light, going in restricted roads, driving contrariwise, speeding, etc. Police temporarily seized 3,600 cars, 36,500 motorbikes and over 250,000 vehicle ownership cards and revoked more than 121,000 driving licenses.

At the same time, transport inspectors also dealt with 103,000 cases, collecting more than VND51 billion ($2.3 billion) of fines.

Hanoi authorities reason that raising traffic fines in big cities is good for deterring, educating people from breaking and re-breaking traffic rules. Thanks to higher fines, the number of traffic accidents in Hanoi’s hub reduced in three criteria, 14.7 percent in the number of cases, 9.5 percent of dead victims and 17.2 percent of injured victims.

Hanoi’s Vice Chair Nguyen Van Khoi says that some violations like crossing red light, driving on one wheel, ignoring instruction of traffic instructors, etc. are rampant. Hanoi wants to raise traffic fines on and to have the right to seize vehicles of illegal racer and hold vehicles of up to ten days of those who commit the above-mentioned violations, in order to enhance determent.

In addition, the city wants to double fines on traffic rule violations in the city’s hub.

Na Son