Ho Chi Minh City police have prosecuted 15 criminal cases related to violent behavior following traffic collisions over the past three months, highlighting growing concerns over public conduct and traffic culture in the city.

Speaking at a socio-economic press briefing on May 21, city police said a series of recent incidents involved road users losing control of their emotions after collisions, leading to arguments, physical fights and large gatherings that disrupted public order.

Authorities noted that many cases stemmed from minor accidents, but impulsive reactions and violent behavior caused consequences far beyond the initial disputes, negatively affecting public security and social conduct in public spaces.

Statistics from the past three months show a sharp increase in such incidents.

Ho Chi Minh City police prosecuted three cases of “intentional infliction of injury,” up two cases compared to the previous three-month period, and 12 cases of “disturbing public order,” an increase of eight cases year-on-year.

All of the cases were directly linked to traffic-related conflicts.

Police said the trend reflects ongoing shortcomings in legal awareness and traffic culture among a segment of the population.

In many situations, momentary anger pushed individuals beyond administrative violations into criminal conduct, causing serious consequences for themselves, their families and society.

Authorities emphasized that depending on the severity and consequences, various acts may face criminal prosecution.

These include gathering crowds and disrupting public order, provoking or threatening others, using weapons in fights, chasing and attacking people on public roads, damaging vehicles, obstructing traffic, and even livestreaming or posting videos online to attract views, incite public reactions or glorify violence.

Possible charges include “disturbing public order,” “intentional infliction of injury,” “destruction of property” and “resisting law enforcement officers.”

Police urge residents to remain calm and avoid violence

Ho Chi Minh City police urged residents to stay calm whenever traffic accidents occur and strictly avoid resolving disputes through violence.

Authorities advised those involved to prioritize safety, communicate peacefully, assist injured victims if necessary, and contact police or insurance agencies for proper handling in accordance with regulations.

The public was also urged not to gather at accident scenes, encourage violent behavior or upload videos to social media for attention or provocation, actions that could further complicate situations.

In addition, police reminded residents to comply strictly with road traffic laws, especially the rule prohibiting driving after consuming alcohol, which authorities identified as a factor linked to many cases involving loss of emotional control on the roads.

Phuoc Sang