Common mistakes and penalties when driving on the highway
During the National Day holiday on September 2nd, traffic on the highway is expected to be heavy. Below are some common mistakes drivers make when traveling on the highway.
During this year's National Day holiday on September 2nd, the volume of traffic increased significantly, especially on highways connecting major cities and tourist destinations. This requires drivers to exercise extra caution to avoid accidents that could lead to serious consequences.
Below are common mistakes drivers make when traveling on highways, along with the corresponding penalties:
Not maintaining a safe distance
One of the leading causes of chain-reaction accidents on highways is the failure to maintain a safe distance between vehicles. When traveling on highways, high speeds and heavy traffic demand that drivers maintain a reasonable distance to be able to react promptly if an incident occurs.
According to Circular 31/2019/TT-BGTVT of the Ministry of Transport, the minimum safe distance between vehicles depends on the speed of travel, as shown in the table below:
| Speed (km/h) | Safe distance (m) |
|---|---|
| 60 | 35 |
| From 60 to 80 | 55 |
| From 80 to 100 | 70 |
| From 100 to 120 | 100 |
According to Decree 100/2019/ND-CP, amended by Decree 123/2021/ND-CP, drivers who violate safe distance regulations may face different penalties depending on the severity of the violation.
Specifically, if a driver fails to maintain a safe distance and causes a collision with the vehicle in front, they will be fined between 800,000 and 1,000,000 VND.
For violations of safe distance regulations on highways, the fine will increase to 4-6 million VND, along with a suspension of the driver's license for 2 to 4 months. If this violation causes a traffic accident, the driver will face a heavier penalty of 10-12 million VND, along with a suspension of the driver's license for 2 to 4 months.
Enter the emergency lane.
The emergency lane on a highway is reserved for priority vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, or vehicles experiencing breakdowns. However, many drivers misuse this lane to overtake in traffic jams, which not only violates traffic laws but also obstructs rescue and emergency vehicles.
According to point g, clause 5, Article 5 of Decree 100/2019/ND-CP, amended and supplemented by Decree 123/2021/ND-CP, drivers will be fined from 4 to 6 million VND for driving a car into the emergency lane on a highway without a valid reason. In addition, the driver will have their driver's license revoked for 1 to 3 months.
Driving slower than the speed limit.
Minimum and maximum speeds on highways are clearly defined to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow. However, many drivers still make the mistake of driving below the minimum speed, obstructing traffic and posing a high risk of accidents. This is especially dangerous when vehicles are moving slowly in the left lane, making it difficult for other vehicles to overtake.
According to Decree 100/2019/ND-CP, amended by Decree 123/2021/ND-CP, drivers who violate the rule of driving below the minimum speed will face different penalties depending on the situation.
If a driver is driving slower than a vehicle traveling in the same direction without moving to the right side of the road, they will be fined between 400,000 and 600,000 VND. If a driver fails to yield to a vehicle requesting to overtake when it is safe to do so, the fine will increase to 2-3 million VND, and their driver's license will be suspended for 1 to 3 months.
Driving against traffic, reversing on the highway.
Reversing or driving against the flow of traffic on a highway is extremely dangerous and can cause serious accidents. Highways are designed for one-way traffic, and reversing or driving against the flow of traffic will cause other vehicles to lose control of their speed and distance, easily leading to catastrophic accidents.
According to Decree 100/2019/ND-CP, amended by Decree 123/2021/ND-CP, drivers who violate traffic rules by reversing or driving against the flow of traffic on highways will face severe penalties.
Specifically, reversing or driving against the flow of traffic on a highway will result in a fine of 16-18 million VND. In addition, violators will have their driver's licenses suspended for 5-7 months. These penalties are intended to deter and prevent dangerous behaviors that could cause serious accidents on highways.
Stopping and parking on the highway.
On the highway, stopping and parking are only permitted in designated areas to ensure safety. If stopping or parking is unavoidable, the driver must move the vehicle off the road or provide clear warning signals so that other vehicles can be aware and avoid collisions.
According to Decree 100/2019/ND-CP, amended by Decree 123/2021/ND-CP, stopping or parking in unauthorized areas on highways will result in a fine of 10-12 million VND for the offending driver. Furthermore, if the violation causes a traffic accident, the driver will have their driver's license revoked for 2 to 4 months.
