Is it permissible to use a phone while stopped at a red light?
According to the new regulations, am I allowed to use my phone while riding a motorbike at a red light? This is a question from Ms. Dang Minh Hao (Hung Nguyen, Nghe An).
Reply:Using a phone while driving is a dangerous behavior that can cause traffic accidents because it distracts and causes drivers to lose focus.
Clause 6, Article 9 of the 2024 Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety stipulates the following prohibited acts:
Article 9. Prohibited acts
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6. Using your hands to hold and operate a phone or other electronic device while driving a moving vehicle on a public road.
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Accordingly, one of the behaviors strictly prohibited when driving a vehicle on public roads is using a phone or other electronic device while holding it in your hand.
Currently, the law does not specifically stipulate whether stopping a vehicle at a red light constitutes driving while on a road. However, Article 18 of the 2024 Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety contains the following regulations regarding stopping and parking vehicles:
- Stopping a vehicle is the temporary stationary state of a vehicle for a sufficient period of time to allow passengers to board or alight, load or unload goods, perform vehicle inspections, or carry out other activities. When stopping, the engine must not be turned off and the driver must not leave the driver's seat, except when leaving the driver's seat to open or close the vehicle doors, load or unload goods, or perform vehicle inspections, but in such cases, the parking brake must be used or other safety measures taken.
- Parking is the state of a vehicle being stationary for an unlimited period of time. When parking, drivers may only leave the vehicle after using the parking brake or taking other safety measures. Vehicles parked on a slope must be steered towards the roadside and wheel chocks must be used.
- On roads, drivers are only allowed to stop or park their vehicles in areas with wide shoulders or on land outside the carriageway; if the shoulder is narrow or there is no shoulder, they may only stop or park their vehicles close to the right edge of the road in the direction of travel.
- On the streets, drivers are only allowed to stop or park their vehicles close to the curb or sidewalk on the right side in the direction of travel; the nearest wheel must not be more than 0.25 meters away from the curb or sidewalk and must not obstruct or endanger pedestrians and other vehicles on the road.
Therefore, stopping at a red light is not considered a stop or parking violation, and drivers can still be fined for using their phones while driving. Thus, if you want to use your mobile phone while driving, you should only do so when you are stopped or parked in accordance with the law.
