Drivers on Vietnam’s Expressways Told to Watch for Five Major Violations During National Holiday

Vietnamese traffic police are intensifying expressway patrols during the Sept. 2 holiday, warning drivers that a breakdown does not excuse failing to alert approaching traffic.

On the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway, officers stopped a car that had halted in a traffic lane after a technical problem. The driver had not placed warning equipment. Police later issued a 13 million dong fine and deducted six points from the driver's license.

Authorities said they would focus on five groups of violations: alcohol and drug use, speeding and improper lane use, illegal lane changes and wrong-way driving, unsafe passing, and dangerous group driving, weaving, illegal racing or public disorder. Checks will also cover passenger and freight transport operators and traffic-safety violations involving students.

Police said they recorded 8,648 violations on the Ho Chi Minh City-Van Phong Expressway between July 15 and Aug. 14. Those included 790 cases of improper stopping or parking, 260 improper or un signaled lane changes, and 78 stops in areas marked with no-stopping signs. During the holiday, patrols will continue 24 hours a day, with officers also checking drivers, vehicles and transport operations.