Running a yellow light - Vietnamese drivers' mistake is easy to argue about
When the yellow light is on, vehicles must stop before the painted line. Failure to comply with this signal will result in a fine of up to 2 million VND.
In the Road Traffic Law, there is no such thing as "running a yellow light", so this behavior is often confusing for drivers, sometimes becoming a loophole causing controversy between traffic police and drivers. So what does the law stipulate on this issue?
According to Standard 41/2016, when the yellow signal is on, the driver must stop the vehicle before the "Stop Line" painted line. If there is no "Stop Line" painted line, the driver must stop before the traffic light in the direction of travel. In case the vehicle has approached or exceeded the "Stop Line" painted line, if stopping would be dangerous, the driver must quickly continue to move away from the intersection."
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Thus, if the light turns yellow when approaching an intersection, the driver must of course stop. If he has rolled close to the line or the light pole and suddenly the light turns yellow, the driver has the right to continue without being punished.
A representative of the Ministry of Public Security has given a similar explanation on this issue. Drivers should proactively speed up, observe to comply with the law and at the same time not endanger other drivers. The yellow light is important because it signals drivers to prepare to stop before the red light.
In fact, if the traffic lights have a countdown timer, drivers can take the initiative when they see a green light with a few seconds left to stop before the light turns yellow and then red. If the traffic lights do not have a countdown timer, drivers should also slow down at intersections to ensure safety and observe the lights. The Traffic Police Department affirms that if drivers take the initiative when they see a yellow light, are able to stop safely but still try to overtake, the penalty is completely in accordance with the law.
Regarding fines, according to Decree 46/2016 of the Government on penalties for road traffic violations, car drivers who do not comply with traffic lights will be fined 1.2 - 2 million VND. The fine for motorbikes is 300,000 - 400,000 VND, for bicycles is 60,000 - 80,000 VND.