In 2026, will walking on the highway be punishable by law?
I've seen people crossing or walking along the highway for "convenience." I'd like to ask, in 2026, will walking on the highway be subject to penalties? What are the fines? (Question from Ms. Hoang Thu H., Vinh Hung Ward, Nghe An Province)
Reply:According to Clause 3, Article 25 of the 2024 Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, the following are prohibited from traveling on expressways, except for persons, vehicles, and equipment serving the management and maintenance of expressways:
- Specialized motorcycles have a design speed lower than the minimum speed limit stipulated for highways;
- Four-wheeled motor vehicles for transporting people;
- Four-wheeled motor vehicles for transporting goods;
- Motorcycles;
- Motorcycles;
- Vehicles similar to motorcycles, motorbikes, and rudimentary vehicles;
- Pedestrians.
Therefore, pedestrians are not allowed on the highway, except when performing duties related to road management and maintenance.
Regarding penalties, according to point a, clause 2, Article 10 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP, pedestrians entering expressways (except for those performing management or maintenance duties) will be fined from VND 400,000 to VND 600,000.
This fine is higher than many common pedestrian violations (such as crossing the road in an unauthorized area or failing to obey traffic lights), because walking on highways poses a particularly serious risk of accidents. On highways, vehicles travel at high speeds, and there are no designated pedestrian lanes; even a simple act of crossing the road or walking along the highway can lead to unpredictable consequences.
Therefore, people should absolutely not walk on the highway for any reason, whether it's "convenient" or "faster." When necessary, they must choose service roads, local roads, or designated crossing points as per regulations.
Obeying traffic rules is not only about avoiding penalties, but first and foremost about protecting your own life and the lives of others.
