At a press conference on January 9, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Hai, Deputy Chief of Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police, shared updates on traffic safety and enforcement since the decree took effect on January 1, 2024.

Improved traffic order under Decree 168

Between January 1 and 7, the city’s traffic police handled 11,830 violations, seizing 4,333 vehicles, including 11 cars, 4,220 motorcycles, and 102 other vehicles.

During the same period, 2,091 driving licenses were revoked, and fines totaling approximately VND 42.5 billion (USD 1.8 million) were issued—an increase of VND 11 billion compared to the preceding week.

Common violations included:

Alcohol limits: 3,633 cases.

Speeding: 1,235 cases.

Improper lane use or sidewalk driving: 468 cases.

Illegal parking: 805 cases.

Running red lights: 389 cases.

Not wearing helmets: 878 cases.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hai noted a marked improvement in public awareness and compliance. During peak hours, major roads have seen more orderly traffic, with drivers respecting stop lines, traffic signals, and proper lane usage. He highlighted a decline in wrong-way driving and a reduction in incidents of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Reporting violations through Zalo

Since June 2024, the Ho Chi Minh City Police have encouraged public participation in detecting and reporting traffic violations through the department’s Zalo Official Account.

The campaign, emphasizing the motto “Every citizen is a traffic police officer”, has garnered 1,880 submissions of information and photos, leading to 128 confirmed violations and fines totaling nearly VND 500 million (USD 20,900).

After Decree 168 came into effect, the department received 87 new reports, which are currently under investigation and verification by relevant units.

Under the decree, individuals who report traffic violations are entitled to rewards of up to 10% of the fine amount, capped at VND 5 million (USD 209) per case. However, the traffic police department has not yet distributed any rewards due to pending detailed guidance from the Ministry of Public Security.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hai reassured the public that there have been no reports of extortion, threats, or violence against individuals documenting violations.

He advised citizens to ensure that information is collected responsibly, respecting privacy, dignity, and public image rights. Any fabricated or altered information submitted could result in legal consequences for the provider.

Dam De - Ho Van