Under the Government's Decree No. 168/ND-CP (Decree 68), fines for traffic violations have been increased sharply from January 1, 2025.

The Government News quoted Decree 68 as reporting that the new regulations aim to restore traffic order in big cities as accidents and congestions have become a pressing issue, causing risks to public safety.

Accordingly, fines shall be imposed from 30 to 50 times higher in comparison with previous ones in the following cases:

- Failure to tie goods firmly while transporting goods shall be fined from VND18 million ($700) to VND20 million ($780)

- Opening a car door or leaving it open in an unsafe way will now result in a fine of VND22 million ($860).

Fines for violations involving alcohol levels of 0.25mg-0.4mg per liter of breath or 50mg-80mg per 100ml of blood shall be increased to VND20 million (US$780) from VND18 million (US$700).

Violations related to making U-turns on highways, driving in the wrong direction or reversing on highways, and riding motorbikes on highways are subjected to sanctions from two to three times higher compared to existing penalties.

Severe actions such as speeding, reckless road chases, or using your feet to control the steering wheel while driving shall be subject to a fine of VND50 million (USD1,900).

Motorbike drivers will also face stricter penalties, including a fine of VND6 million (US$235) for failing to comply with traffic lights, up from VND1 million.

Exceeding the speed limit by more than 20km per hour will face a fine of VND8 million, up from VND5 million.

Driving in the wrong direction on a one-way street will result in a fine of VND6 million (US$235), tripling the current VND2 million penalty.

In the first 11 months of 2024, there were 21.691 traffic accidents nationwide, killing 10.026 people and injuring 16.103 people. Compared to the first 11 months of 2023, traffic accidents increased by 1.163 cases (5,67 percent), decreased by 859 deaths (7,89 per cent), and increased by 1.906 injuries (13,43 per cent).