Director of Department of Transport: Why not fine vehicles parked on the sidewalk?

Speaking at the conference summarizing traffic safety and clearing traffic corridors recently held by Nghe An province, Mr. Le Sy Chien - Vice Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee said that sidewalk encroachment and traffic congestion are the two biggest problems of the city. Local congestion often occurs on main roads and intersections in the city during rush hour.

Sidewalk parking is very common in Vinh City. Photo: Quang An

Mr. Chien said that one of the causes of traffic jams is that people park on the road because there is no parking lot. "Vinh City recently had a very thorough meeting and came up with two ideas, which is to allow people to park on the sidewalk on some streets from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next morning" - Mr. Chien said and added that in addition, in front of some hospitals, where there is a lot of traffic, it is suggested that people be allowed to park on the sidewalk, or that a parking bay be made.

In response to this opinion, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Huynh Thanh Dien said that it is not allowed to violate the law. "The sidewalk is very narrow, if parking is allowed, it will affect people's movement, the structure and many other things. While the law prohibits it, we must comply with the law" - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said and suggested Vinh City to study and find other solutions.

Traffic congestion on major roads during rush hour. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Sharing the same opinion with the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Mr. Nguyen Hong Ky - Director of the Department of Transport said that the implementation of road traffic laws in some localities is still not strict, especially related to regulations on traffic safety corridors.

“It’s the same law, but you fine cars that run red lights, but why not fine cars that park on the sidewalk? If we don’t stop this situation, there will be no parking lots,” Mr. Ky emphasized. “That’s unacceptable, I see inadequacies in the performance of official duties. It’s not following the law.”

Mr. Nguyen Hong Ky said that Vinh City's failure to penalize vehicles parked on the sidewalk is against the law. Photo: Tien Hung

Meanwhile, regarding the issue of re-encroachment on sidewalks after the cleanup campaigns, Mr. Le Sy Chien said that there are many causes and it will take a long time to resolve.

“When the authorities arrived, people withdrew, but as soon as they left, people encroached again. The cause comes from both buyers and sellers, while the culture of using sidewalk services has become a habit that is hard to break,” said Mr. Chien, admitting that Vinh City has not yet come up with solutions to correct this situation.