Vietnamese Teen Faces Penalties for Riding Motorbike Helmetless With His Feet

Police in Dak Lak province have recorded administrative violations against a 17-year-old who rode a motorbike with his feet and without a helmet in Phu Yen ward, causing public outrage.

The teenager, identified as H.M.C., also allegedly drove a motorbike with an engine larger than 50 cubic centimeters despite being too young to operate it. His parent, H.D.T., was issued a separate violation record for giving the vehicle to someone who was not qualified to drive it.

Traffic police said they were continuing legal assessment procedures for the act of steering the motorbike with his feet. Those procedures could lead to confiscation of the vehicle.

Authorities received a public report at about 9:36 p.m. on August 28. The teenager was allegedly riding without a helmet, weaving and swerving along Hung Vuong Street in Phu Dong 4 neighborhood. He then used both feet to control the motorbike while waving both hands in the air as friends riding with him cheered. The incident was recorded and posted on social media, prompting widespread anger.