An automobile being reversed on the Hanoi-Hai Phong Highway. The photo was taken by camera and sent to police. - Photo Courtesy of the Vietnam Infrastructure Development and Finance Investment Joint Stock Company

The draft decree wouldincrease fines for reversing on highways from 800,000-1.2 million VND (34-51USD) to 16-18 million VND (690-780 USD), and drivers could have their licensesrevoked for 5-7 months instead of 1-3 months as at present.

Fines for makinga U-turn on highways would also increase from 400,000-600,000 VND (17-26 USD)to 5-7 million VND (210-300 USD), and drivers lose their licences for upto four months.

Driving in the wrongdirection on highways would also see a heavy fine of 16-18 million VND (690-780USD), up from 5-7 million VND (210-300 USD) and have licences revoked for5-7 months. 

Tran Huu Minh, deputychief of Office of the National Committee for Traffic Safety, said the oldpunishments were not strong enough, especially for reversing on highways.

This actionseriously violates the laws, causing risks for people andthreatens people’s lives, Minh said.

Minh said the systemof warning signs along highways in Vietnam was not designed and installed wellenough.

Specifically, thewarning signs system must ensure repetition and distance between eachother and supply enough information.-VNA