According to the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security, just 15 days after the implementation of Decree 168/2024, there has been a remarkable improvement in traffic law compliance among citizens, with a significant reduction in traffic accidents across all three key criteria.

Increased compliance and safer streets

In less than two weeks since Decree 168/2024 came into effect, notable improvements in traffic behavior have been observed. Most prominently, vehicles are now seen adhering strictly to traffic signals, stopping at red lights in an orderly manner at major intersections in cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Before the decree, areas like the Giai Phong - Dai Co Viet intersection in Hanoi often experienced chaos, with motorcyclists running red lights, stopping beyond designated lines, or traveling against traffic. Now, these behaviors have largely ceased, replaced by orderly queues of vehicles waiting at red lights.

A representative from the Hanoi Traffic Police Department noted that traffic congestion has increased in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year due to heightened travel demands. To mitigate this, the department has deployed 100% of its officers to manage and redirect traffic flow effectively.

Nguyen Bich Thuy, a 45-year-old resident of Dong Da District in Hanoi, shared that many drivers are now more aware of the heightened fines for violations like running red lights, which has encouraged them to comply with traffic laws voluntarily.

She remarked, "People have been talking about the new penalties, and even reminding each other on the roads not to run red lights, as fines can reach up to 5 million VND. Strict enforcement will help instill lasting habits of law adherence among the public."

Notably, citizens are following traffic regulations even in the absence of traffic police. For instance, on January 3, after Vietnam's national football team secured a victory in the first leg of the 2024 ASEAN Cup finals, thousands of fans celebrated on the streets while maintaining road safety protocols, including stopping at red lights.

Ngo Duy Anh, a 27-year-old from Hoan Kiem District, observed that in previous celebrations, many motorcyclists disregarded traffic laws. "Now, things are completely different. People stop for red lights and wear helmets properly, even during celebrations," he said.

A shift in behavior

Another significant change is the reduction of motorcyclists using sidewalks during traffic congestion. In Ho Chi Minh City, areas notorious for gridlock during peak hours, such as Truong Chinh - Cong Hoa in Tan Phu District and Quang Trung Street in Go Vap District, have seen fewer instances of vehicles mounting sidewalks to bypass traffic.

Ho Thi Phuong, a resident of District 12, admitted that she used to ride on sidewalks to avoid gridlock but has stopped due to the new, stricter penalties.

Statistics from the Traffic Police Department reveal a substantial decrease in traffic accidents between January 1 and January 14, compared to the same period last year.

Across the country, there were 681 traffic accidents, resulting in 365 fatalities and 453 injuries. These figures represent reductions of 355 accidents, 47 deaths, and 426 injuries compared to the previous year.

On-road accidents alone accounted for 677 incidents, with 363 fatalities and 452 injuries, marking a significant decline in all categories.

The impact of stricter penalties

The Traffic Police Department attributed these improvements to the stricter penalties introduced under Decree 168/2024, which have had a profound effect on raising public awareness and fostering compliance with traffic laws.

Colonel Pham Quang Huy, Deputy Director of the Traffic Police Department, emphasized that increased administrative penalties aim to deter violations and educate those with poor compliance habits while encouraging law-abiding behavior.

He stated, "It is time to change bad traffic habits that tarnish the image of urban civility and the nation, deter foreign investment, and diminish the confidence of visitors. Traffic accidents not only claim valuable lives but also impose burdens on families and society.

By fostering habits such as obeying traffic signals, avoiding reckless driving, and not driving under the influence of alcohol, we can reduce accidents and ensure that everyone safely returns home."

Dinh Hieu