Handing over the steering wheel to children or posting videos of traffic violations for internet fame - seemingly harmless acts - are resulting in hefty consequences for many.

On March 24, a nearly one-minute video went viral on social media, showing a man allowing his young daughter to steer a moving car. The girl sat in the driver's seat, gripping the steering wheel as the vehicle's speedometer displayed speeds of 50–60 km/h.

Authorities identified the driver as Dao Van N. (born 1994, residing in Binh Xuyen, Vinh Phuc). The Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security has since instructed Vinh Phuc provincial police to issue an administrative penalty against him.

Speaking to VietNamNet, Dr. Dang Van Cuong, a lawyer and legal expert, deemed the behavior extremely dangerous and a blatant disregard for the law. According to him, the act could be subject to a fine of up to VND 30 million (approximately USD 1,200).

Allowing a child to control a vehicle is a clear violation of Vietnam’s traffic laws, which prohibit anyone without proper qualifications from driving. If no serious consequences occurred, the action may be subject to an administrative penalty under Decree 168. However, if it negatively affects public safety or leads to a traffic accident, criminal prosecution could follow.

Dr. Cuong emphasized that the behavior is irresponsible and could psychologically mislead children while posing a significant risk of accidents. Penalties are necessary, especially if the video was intentionally created for online views, which could lead to charges under public order disruption laws.

"In some countries, such behavior can result in imprisonment and criminal penalties," he noted. "In Vietnam, administrative sanctions apply unless it qualifies as a public disturbance or causes actual harm."

Traffic violations and social media views

On January 27, the Traffic Police Department and Thai Binh provincial police fined Mr. L.N.L. (born 1981, living in Vu Thu, Thai Binh) after he posted a video showing his 12-year-old son driving a car with license plate 30K-792.XX. Though the vehicle was reportedly being towed during the recording, Mr. L. was penalized for spreading false information and causing public concern.

In another case in October 2023, model Ngoc Trinh rode a high-capacity motorbike without the required A2 license. With her driving instructor, she performed dangerous stunts on public roads - including lying down, kneeling on the seat, and releasing the handlebars while the bike was in motion.

She later edited the footage and uploaded it to her popular social media accounts. The videos caused widespread backlash and were deemed to negatively affect public order online. On February 2, 2024, Ngoc Trinh was sentenced to one year of suspended imprisonment.

According to Dr. Cuong, under the current Penal Code (2015, amended 2017), the threshold for criminal prosecution over public disorder has shifted. Unlike the older law, which required clearly quantified damage, today's law allows authorities broader discretion.

Any act deemed to "negatively impact public order and safety" can be prosecuted - even without precise metrics.

Whether or not such impact exists is a qualitative judgment made by law enforcement and judicial authorities.

As these cases demonstrate, reckless behavior behind the wheel - especially when paired with attempts to gain online attention - can come at a high legal and social cost. The law is clear: there is no room for treating traffic safety as a game.

T. Nhung