VietNamNet Bridge – A three-month crackdown on traffic violations began in Ha Noi yesterday (Dec 25) to deal with increasing traffic as Tet approaches.

A three-month crackdown on traffic violations began in Ha Noi yesterday to deal with increasing traffic as Tet approaches. — Photo giadinhonline

"During the time before Tet, people tend to flow to the city centre for shopping, so traffic jams are unavoidable and the risk of accidents goes up," said Nguyen Van Quy, Lieutenant Colonel of Traffic Police Team 1. "The city's crackdown aims to ensure that traffic flows smoothly."

Ha Noi police will co-operate with the city Department of Transport to increase patrols and tackle violations, focusing on illegal parking and sidewalk encroachment and street vendor businesses.

In previous years, household businesses and hawkers tended to take over pavements and even roadways to do businesses as Tet approached, which also led to a surge of illegal parking by those buying their wares.

Under the Law on Road Traffic, motorcyclists can be fined up to VND200,000 (US$10) for illegal parking. Fines for car drivers are up to four times higher.

Street vendors can be fined up to VND200,000 (US$10) for selling on streets where they are banned from plying their wares, while households encroaching on sidewalks for illegal business face fines of VND6 million (US$288).

Resident Nguyen Thi Huong supported the city's plan, hoping that it would ease the serious traffic jams in her neighbourhood.

"The area where Hoang Hoa Tham cuts Buoi Street has a traditional flower market so many people go there for shopping. Many people park on the road for too long, causing traffic congestion," Huong said. However, many customers fined for illegal parking argued that they were not informed of the regulations.

Resident Nguyen Van Thai also complained about the confusing locations of the warning signage.

"The spot where I was fined did not have any no-parking sign. The police later showed me the sign, which turned out to be placed at the other end of the street," Thai said.

VNS