Vietnamese drivers turn on their headlights 'indiscriminately', is there a law to punish them?
In addition to being fully equipped with headlights/low beams, drivers must also use these lights properly when participating in traffic, otherwise they will be fined.
When to turn on high beams (headlights)?
The 2008 Road Traffic Law stipulates that cars participating in traffic must be equipped with lighting to ensure safety. Specifically, the required lights on a car include low beam lights (low beam lights), high beam lights (headlights), license plate lights, brake lights (brake lights) and signal lights (turn signals).
In which, high beam and low beam are 2 main types of lights, used flexibly depending on the time frame and road conditions, weather...
Low beam lights are lights with moderate intensity, low range and near the front of the vehicle. High beam lights, also known as headlights, have stronger light intensity, high range and farther range, helping the driver see obstacles and signs from a distance.
However, because of the high beam range and strong intensity, the law stipulates that this type of light cannot be used when cars are moving in urban areas or densely populated areas, but only on highways or expressways. Because if the headlights are turned on in the inner city, it will cause glare, blocking the vision of oncoming vehicles, leading to danger.
In addition, Article 17 of the 2008 Road Traffic Law also stipulates that on roads not divided into two separate directions, when motor vehicles traveling in opposite directions meet, drivers are not allowed to use high beams.
How to punish "indiscriminately" turning on headlights?
Although the Road Traffic Law has clear regulations on the use of lights on cars when participating in traffic. However, in reality, many drivers do not fully understand the law, or know but still deliberately ignore it. This leads to the situation where many cars and motorbikes shine their headlights randomly, endangering other vehicles on the road and making many people angry.
Regarding the sanctions for using high beams on vehicles in violation of regulations, Decree 100/2019/ND-CP clearly stipulates. For cars, a fine of 800,000 - 1,000,000 VND will be imposed on drivers using high beams in urban areas and densely populated areas, except for priority vehicles on duty. Similarly, for drivers of tractors and specialized motorbikes, the fine ranges from 400,000 - 600,000 VND.
Meanwhile, for drivers of motorbikes, mopeds (including electric motorbikes), motorbike-like vehicles and moped-like vehicles; fines from 100,000 - 200,000 VND if the driver uses high beams in urban areas, densely populated areas, except for priority vehicles on duty as prescribed.
In addition to the administrative fine, if the driver commits the above violation and causes a traffic accident; the driver's license will also be revoked for 2 - 4 months.