Controversial fine for running a yellow light like a red light

From August 1, according to Decree 46 of the Government regulating administrative penalties for violations in the field of road traffic (replacing Decrees 171 and 107), drivers who run yellow or red lights will be fined the same amount.

Also according to the new regulation, the fine for running a yellow light is nearly double the current fine: up to 2 million VND for cars and 400,000 VND for motorbikes...

Immediately after the content of this Decree was published in the Official Gazette, there were many conflicting opinions, because the lawmakers had unintentionally "synchronized yellow and red lights" by imposing the same fines. However, in actual traffic regulation, the functions of these two types of lights are completely different. Therefore, if the regulation on fines for running yellow and red lights is the same, it is not correct compared to the nature of the two traffic light colors.

From August 1, running a yellow light will be fined up to 2 million VND.

Yellow light is a signal change (to green or red) to help traffic participants have a plan to handle the next traffic. So, now considering yellow light as red light is like we have "erased" yellow light.

Yellow light is an invention recognized by the world and applied for more than 100 years in many countries around the world. Corresponding to the light colors are legal regulations regulating traffic behavior with each type of light is different. Specifically, running a yellow light has a different penalty level and running a red light is certainly a much more serious offense.

If yellow and red lights are considered the same, very dangerous situations can occur on the road. Vehicles traveling at high speed will suddenly stop when they see a yellow light, which can easily lead to a rear-end collision. The transitional element of the yellow light to help drivers prepare is no longer meaningful…

Another point, if regulated as Decree 46, there is a contradiction with the Road Traffic Law. Specifically, Clause 3, Article 10 of the Road Traffic Law 2008 stipulates: Green signal means go; red signal means no go; yellow signal means stop before the stop line, except in the case of going past the stop line, then you can continue. If the yellow signal is flashing, you can go but you must reduce speed, pay attention, and give way to pedestrians crossing the street.

According to Decree 171, the fine for drivers running yellow lights is lower than the fine for running red lights. From August 1, the new Decree stipulates that the penalty for not obeying yellow and red light signals is the same. Many opinions say that applying Decree 171 is reasonable, if anything, the fine should be increased.

According to VOV