Implementing Decree 168: Reducing accidents, increasing discipline, contributing to building traffic culture - Part 1: Changing habits behind the wheel
In Nghe An, after a period of implementing Decree 168/2024/ND-CP regulating administrative sanctions for violations of traffic order and safety in the field of road traffic; deducting points, restoring driving license points... awareness and behavior of traffic participants have had positive changes.
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Khanh Ly - Dang Cuong - Tien Dong /Technique:Hong Toai• 07/08/2025
In the areas of Thanh Vinh, Truong Vinh, Vinh Loc, Vinh Phu wards (old Vinh City area), the application of strict penalties according to Decree 168, including increasing administrative penalties and adding a mechanism to deduct points from driving licenses, is gradually bringing about clear results.
In fact, on central routes such as Le Loi, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Nguyen Van Cu, Le Nin Avenue, Kenh Bac Bridge, Quan Bau intersection... it is shown that although traffic density is high and local congestion still occurs during rush hour, common violations such as running red lights, stopping in the wrong lane, crowding, and encroaching on lanes have decreased significantly.
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In fact, during the morning hours of the first week of the week, which are also rush hours, at traffic intersections such as Nguyen Thi Minh Khai - Le Hong Phong - Hong Bang - Kim Dong, there is no longer the usual scene of vehicles stopping and parking in a chaotic manner or running red lights.
Instead, there are images of vehicles stopping at the right line, obeying traffic signals more seriously and orderly. These are positive signals, showing that people are gradually raising their awareness when participating in traffic, especially groups of people who used to violate the law frequently such as shippers and technology drivers.
Mr. Bui Van Hoa, a technology shipper currently living in Thanh Vinh ward, shared that he had many times driven in the wrong direction, climbed onto the sidewalk, and ran red lights to deliver goods on time during busy rush hour. When the fines were light, these violations were almost "ignored" in the minds of him and many people in similar jobs.
However, since Decree 168 took effect, everything has changed: “If I get fined 4-6 million VND for driving during rush hour, it means I’ve lost half a month’s worth of work, not to mention losing points on my driving license... Now I just drive according to the law, a little slow but safe. If I obey the law, others will respect me on the road.”
Not only technology drivers, many residents in Thanh Vinh and Truong Vinh wards also clearly see the positive effects of tightening traffic fines.
Ms. Dau Thi Ngoc, a resident of Thanh Vinh ward, said: “At first, I was a bit surprised by the increased fines, but then I had to admit that it was effective. Before, I sometimes turned right when the light was not green, thinking it was okay. But now that I know I can be fined 4-6 million VND for motorbikes, I have completely changed. Not only because I am afraid of losing money, but more importantly, I am aware that if everyone complies, the whole society will be safer.”
For long-distance drivers, who regularly travel on national highways and have a direct impact on inter-provincial traffic safety, Decree 168 is also acting as a lever to improve professional discipline.
Nguyen Quang Tien, a bus driver on the Vinh - Hanoi route, shared: "In the past, I sometimes took the opportunity to look at my phone or listen to calls while driving. At that time, the fine was only 2-3 million VND if I was "unfortunately" discovered. But now the fine is doubled and points are deducted from the driver's license, so no one dares to take the risk anymore. In this profession, just one small mistake can affect dozens of passengers behind, so we have to be even more careful."
Mr. Tien also added that many bus and truck drivers are now proactively updating their knowledge of traffic laws and carefully studying new regulations to avoid falling into situations of being unjustly punished.
This shows that applying strict penalties not only has an immediate deterrent effect, but also has a long-term impact on the awareness and behavior of traffic participants.
Following the traffic police teams in Vinh area, under the Traffic Police Department of the Provincial Police, to conduct a special project to check alcohol concentration according to Decree 168/2024/ND-CP on a number of routes.
At the checkpoint, most drivers were cooperative, had a relaxed attitude, and did not react negatively like before. This atmosphere showed a positive signal, the compliance awareness of traffic participants has clearly changed.
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It is worth noting that in many cases, there are still people in the car who have consumed alcohol or beer, but not the driver, but the driver's assistant or a family member.
Ms. Tran Thi Vinh, resident of Vinh Hung ward - the driver of the car with license plate 37K-762.xx happily stopped the car according to the traffic police's order. She said: "Previously, my husband was fined 7 million VND and had his license revoked for nearly a year for drinking and driving. After that fine, we agreed that whoever drank would not drive. Now, whenever we go out to eat or drink, I drive, and when I'm in a pinch, I call a taxi. Gradually, it's become a habit, and I no longer feel inconvenienced."
Evening of July 18, On Tran Hung Dao Street (Thanh Vinh Ward), in just over 2 hours of inspection, the working group recorded 2 violations. Each case had a justification such as "meeting old friends", "having a death anniversary at home"... such as Mr. NAC, whose registered residence is in Hung Nguyen Commune (old Hung Nguyen Town area), who was discovered by the Traffic Police to have an alcohol concentration of 0.072 mg/liter of breath and was administratively fined 7 million VND and had his driver's license suspended for nearly 2 years.
After being punished, Mr. C "realized" that: I only drank three glasses of wine because my close friend from abroad invited me to dinner. I didn't expect to be punished so heavily. It was truly a high price for being subjective.
Not only in urban areas, even remote areas have recorded a significant change in people's awareness when participating in traffic. Mr. Vi Hoang - a cultural officer of Tuong Duong commune, shared: "Previously, when going to the grassroots, people had to drink alcohol, because for the people, alcohol was a way to show hospitality. But since Decree 100 and then Decree 168, people have gradually understood the law and no longer force customers like before. Those who have self-driving cars are given priority to "drink water".
However, not everyone can ask their wife to drive them home, or easily call a taxi in all situations. Therefore, a practical solution is becoming more and more popular, which is the driving service. This service helps people who have consumed alcohol or beer to be taken home by personal vehicle, safely, quickly and legally.
Mr. Bui Dat - living in Vinh Loc ward, shared: “I do business, often have to entertain customers. Before, I often drove home even though I had been drinking, sometimes my heart skipped a beat because I was afraid of being checked or having an accident. Since I learned about the driving service, I have completely switched to this option. Calling a driver is very fast, the price is reasonable, and most importantly, I feel completely secure.”
Similarly, Mr. Dinh Quang Hop - residing in Vinh Phu ward also said: "After being fined for alcohol concentration once, I did not dare to drive after drinking anymore. A friend introduced the driving service, I tried it and found it very convenient. Each time it is only about 100,000 VND for a distance of less than 10km, very reasonable compared to being fined millions of VND or causing danger to others."
Currently, according to our research, the former Vinh City area (now 6 wards: Truong Vinh, Thanh Vinh, Vinh Hung, Vinh Phu, Vinh Loc, Cua Lo), currently has about more than 30 associations and groups operating in the field of car driving. Among them, the Driver 76 group founded by Mr. Bui Quang Vinh is one of the organized and professional organizations.
Mr. Vinh said: “The group was established at the end of March 2023, currently has nearly 20 members, most of whom are office workers, taking on extra work outside of work hours. All have driving experience, know the streets, do not drink alcohol and have clear background records.”
Driver 76 Group operates mainly in the evening, receiving customers via Zalo, Facebook or referrals from restaurants. Service prices are clearly listed: 100,000 VND within a radius of 10km, over 10km an additional 13,000 VND/km, out-of-town trips will be negotiated separately with customers.
Not only the people, restaurants and eateries are also proactively connecting with the driving service, ensuring the safety of diners. Mr. Tran Anh Tuan, owner of HP restaurant (Vinh Hung ward) said: “When alcohol concentration testing was first tightened, the number of customers decreased by 30-40%. The restaurant had to think of many ways to make customers feel secure: keeping cars overnight, sending someone to take customers home... Now it's much simpler, we connect with 5 groups of drivers, introducing them directly to customers if needed. Even when necessary, if the driving service is overloaded, the restaurant's staff is ready to wait for customers to return home."
This cooperation not only helps the restaurant maintain a stable number of customers, but also creates a civilized and professional image. “Customers can now drink more comfortably because they know that they are being driven home safely. Most importantly, no one is fined, no one causes accidents, so it is good for both sides,” Mr. Tuan shared…
The above changes show that Decree 168 of the Government has created certain impacts on the awareness and behavior of traffic participants. It is also evidence that the implementation of Decree 168 comes from the urgent needs of social life, refuting false arguments that deliberately distort the policy that Decree 168 is a "harsh" sanction, "extortion", a "trap" for traffic participants...
(To be continued)
