VietNamNet Bridge – The Government plans to raise fine levels for motorists whose vehicles fail to meet safety regulations and whose horn exceeds permitted noise levels.


The Government plans to raise fine levels for motorists whose vehicles fail to meet safety regulations.
Under Decree 33/2011/ND-CP, which comes into effect on July 1, motorists will be fined between VND300,000 and VND500,000 (about US$15 and $25) if their vehicles do not have a fire extinguisher and a hammer or an axe to break windows in an emergency.


Fines of VND2 million and VND3 million ($100-$150) will be meted out to drivers whose vehicle's horn is too loud.

Under the previous decree, the fine level was set at VND300,000-VND500,000.


The new decree also sets out new fines for drivers of overloaded vehicles and for illegal parking, which will range from VND3-5 million ($150-$250).


Hoang Van Manh, deputy chief inspector of the Ha Noi Department of Transport, said the fine levels should be strict enough to deter motorists from breaking the law.


"The decree will help improve traffic safety. With quite high fine levels, motorists of course will improve their awareness when driving and better maintain their vehicles," he said.


Mai Quang Thang, who drives a seven-seat coach, supported the change in the law.


"I myself also feel tetchy when other motorists horn too loudly. It disturbs other drivers and can be dangerous because it's distracting," he said.


However, not every motorist supported the new decree.


A car driver, who didn't want to reveal his name, said it was not necessary to fine every car or coach driver for not having a fire extinguisher or a hammer in their vehicle.


"The regulation should be applied to long-distance lorries and coaches only because they are more likely to have an accident while travelling along inter-provincial highways. Four-seat cars like mine are mostly used in cities. There, this kind of equipment is not needed," he said.


Last October, floodwater swept away a coach travelling along National Highway 1A in central Ha Tinh Province with 37 passengers on board.


Some swam to safety, but 20 died. The coach, which was washed into an adjacent rising river, was not carrying a hammer or axe with which to break windows so the passengers could escape.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News