Rental cars and cars for sale occupy the sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to walk in the road.

Sidewalks are occupied, forcing pedestrians to walk in the road.

Recently, on many streets in Nghe An province such as Nguyen Trai, Lenin Boulevard (in Vinh Phu ward); Truong Chinh, Tran Hung Dao, Dang Thai Than (Thanh Vinh ward); Nguyen Du, Nguyen Sy Sach (Truong Vinh ward)... it is not difficult to see long lines of cars parked closely together on the road, even encroaching on the entire sidewalk. Many vehicles are labeled "self-drive car rental" or "car for sale," turning public space into a display and transaction area.

Many previously unobstructed roads have been significantly narrowed due to indiscriminate parking, making traffic flow more difficult.

According to current regulations, roads and sidewalks are only to be used for traffic purposes, serving pedestrians and vehicles. Any unauthorized occupation is strictly prohibited. In particular, for businesses providing car services, having a dedicated parking area is a mandatory requirement. However, in reality, many establishments still fail to meet this requirement.

Due to a lack of land or unwillingness to incur additional costs, many establishments have "utilized" sidewalks and roadsides as temporary parking spaces, which gradually become permanent "parking lots." This not only violates legal regulations but also sets a bad precedent, leading to the spread of encroachment on public spaces.

Residents living in the affected areas say that this situation has existed for a long time but has not been thoroughly addressed. The encroachment on sidewalks forces them to walk on the road, facing numerous traffic safety risks.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai, a resident of Truong Vinh ward, shared: "In some sections, cars are parked all over the sidewalks, leaving us with no way to walk. Having to go down into the road is very dangerous; a moment of carelessness could easily lead to an accident."

This situation not only affects pedestrians but also seriously hinders traffic flow. Le Van Luong, a ride-hailing driver who frequently travels through the city center, said: "Sections with many rental cars parked there often have narrowed roads, making it difficult for vehicles to move and easily causing traffic jams, especially during rush hour."

Besides traffic safety concerns, indiscriminate parking also detracts from the urban landscape. Streets that were once clean and spacious now become unsightly due to long, disorderly rows of parked cars. Public spaces are "occupied," affecting the quality of life for residents.

The violations are persistent and require comprehensive action.

The current situation of rental cars and vending vehicles encroaching on roads and sidewalks in the wards of Nghe An province is raising many issues for urban management.

Speaking to reporters, the owner of a self-drive car rental business in the area said: "The demand for car rentals is currently high, while parking fees are high and land is limited. Therefore, we are forced to temporarily park on the sidewalk and road. We understand that this is wrong and we are looking for solutions to overcome it."

According to assessments, one of the reasons this situation persists is the lack of consistent inspection and enforcement. Despite enforcement campaigns, violations often recur. Furthermore, the penalties in some cases are not sufficiently deterrent.

Besides management issues, the awareness of law compliance among some individuals and businesses remains limited. Utilizing public spaces for displaying and renting vehicles may save costs in the short term, but it has long-term negative consequences for urban order.

In light of this situation, many believe that stronger solutions are needed, including reviewing business conditions, especially for parking lots; strictly penalizing violations, particularly repeat offenders. At the same time, inspections should be conducted regularly to avoid a situation where enforcement is merely a formality.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Nguyen The Than, Chairman of the Vinh Phu Ward People's Committee, said: "In the past, the ward has conducted inspections, issued warnings, and fined a number of violators. However, due to limited personnel, inspections have not been carried out regularly. In the coming time, the ward will strengthen inspections, strictly handle violations, and promote public awareness campaigns."

It is evident that the encroachment on roads and sidewalks for car sales is not just happening on a few streets but has become a common problem in urban areas. Without comprehensive, decisive, and consistent solutions, violations are likely to recur, directly affecting traffic order and the living space of residents.