Circular No. 13/2009/TT-BGTVT stipulates the speed limits and safe distances for motor vehicles and special-purpose motorcycles participating in road traffic.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on speed and distance between motor vehicles participating in road traffic

 _______________________________________

On the basis of Decree No. 86/2012/NĐ-CP dated October 19, 2012, issued by the Government detailing and guiding implementation of certain provisions of the Metrology Law;

Pursuant to Decree No. 51/2008/NĐ-CP dated April 22, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;

Based on Decree No. 42/2009/NĐ-CP dated May 7, 2009 of the Government on classification of urban areas;

The Ministry of Transport shall stipulate the speed of motor vehicles and special-purpose motorcycles and the safe distance between two motor vehicles when participating in road traffic as follows:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates the maximum speed of motor vehicles and special-purpose motorcycles and the safe distance between two motor vehicles when participating in road traffic, except for priority vehicles performing tasks as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 22 of the Road Traffic Law.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to agencies, organizations, and individuals related to the management and implementation of regulations on the speed of motor vehicles and special-purpose motorcycles and the safe distance between two motor vehicles participating in road traffic as prescribed in this Circular.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. Urban roads are sections of roads located within the inner city or town, and sections of roads from the location where the "Start of densely populated area" traffic sign is placed to the location where the "End of densely populated area" traffic sign is placed.

2. Special-purpose vehicles are vehicles with structures and equipment designed to perform specific functions including: fire trucks; street sweepers; waste collection trucks; concrete mixers; concrete pumps; crane trucks; aerial work platforms; drilling trucks; traffic rescue trucks; other special-purpose vehicles such as mobile television trucks, mobile radio wave measurement trucks, bridge inspection trucks, underground cable inspection trucks, X-ray imaging trucks, mobile surgery trucks...

Article 4. General principles for controlling vehicles participating in road traffic

1. Drivers participating in road traffic must strictly comply with the speed limits and safe distances between motor vehicles indicated on traffic signs; at sections of road without traffic signs indicating speed limits and safe distances, drivers and controllers of vehicles participating in road traffic must follow the provisions of this Circular.

2. Drivers participating in road traffic must control their vehicles to run at a speed appropriate to the condition of the road, traffic density, terrain, and weather to ensure traffic safety.

Article 5. Situations where speed reduction is required

Drivers participating in road traffic must reduce their speed below the maximum allowable speed to a level that is not dangerous (able to stop safely) in the following cases:

1. There are warning signs of danger or obstacles on the road.

2. Changing direction of travel or limited visibility;

3. At intersections where roads meet at the same level; where roads cross railways; roundabouts; winding roads with steep slopes; sections of road with uneven surfaces;

4. Over narrow bridges or culverts; when approaching the top of a hill, when descending a hill;

5. In areas near schools during school hours; densely populated areas, industrial zones, office areas along the road; construction sites on the road; scenes of traffic accidents;

6. When pedestrians or disabled persons' wheelchairs cross the road;

7. Livestock is on the road or grazing near the road;

8. When overtaking vehicles traveling in the opposite direction or allowing vehicles behind to overtake;

9. Approaching a bus stop or passenger boarding/alighting point.

10. When encountering priority vehicle convoys; encountering oversized, overloaded vehicles, vehicles carrying hazardous goods; overtaking pedestrian groups;

11. During rainy weather; with fog; slippery, muddy roads, roads covered with many loose soil, sand, and dust.

Chapter II

MAXIMUM SPEED OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND SPECIAL-PURPOSE MOTORCYCLES PARTICIPATING IN ROAD TRAFFIC

Article 6. Maximum permitted speed for motor vehicles participating in road traffic in densely populated areas

Article 7. Maximum permitted speed for motor vehicles participating in road traffic outside densely populated areas

Article 8. Maximum permitted speed for other types of motor vehicles and specialized motorcycles

For other types of motor vehicles such as tractors, similar types of vehicles, and specialized motorcycles currently allowed to operate, the maximum speed shall not exceed 30 km/h when participating in road traffic.

Article 9. Speed of motor vehicles and specialized motorcycles on expressways, high-grade roads, and roads operated under specific regulations

When participating in road traffic on expressways, roads designed and constructed to meet high-grade standards, and roads operated under specific regulations, drivers of motor vehicles and specialized motorcycles must comply with the maximum and minimum speeds indicated on road signs.

Article 10. Installation of speed signs and signs indicating densely populated areas

1. The installation of speed signs shall be carried out in accordance with current laws on road signs and must take into account the actual conditions of the section or route of the road to ensure suitability.

2. The placement of "Start of Densely Populated Area" and "End of Densely Populated Area" signs must be based on the actual population situation on both sides of the road. Signs indicating densely populated areas should not be placed on sections that have not been urbanized, sparsely populated, and where visibility is not restricted.

Road management units must coordinate with local authorities at all levels to uniformly determine the positions for placing "Start of Densely Populated Area" and "End of Densely Populated Area" signs in accordance with reality and current laws on road signage.

Chapter III

KHOẢNG CÁCH GIỮA CÁC XE CƠ GIỚI THAM GIA GIAO THÔNG TRÊN ĐƯỜNG BỘ

Article 11. Maintaining a safe distance between two vehicles

When driving a vehicle on a road, the driver or operator of a specialized motorcycle must maintain a safe distance from the vehicle immediately ahead; where there is a sign indicating the "Minimum Distance Between Two Vehicles," the distance must not be less than the number indicated on the sign.

Article 12. Safe distance between two vehicles when participating in road traffic on expressways, high-grade roads, and roads operated under specific regulations.

1. When the road surface is dry, the safe distance corresponding to each speed is defined as follows:

2. In rainy weather, fog, slippery roads, winding terrain, mountainous areas, drivers must adjust the safe distance appropriately larger than the safe distance indicated on the sign or as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 13. Responsibilities of road management agencies

1. The Vietnam Highway Administration is responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. Road management agencies are responsible for regularly inspecting and installing all relevant signs related to speed limits and safe distances between motor vehicles, especially the "Start of Densely Populated Area" and "End of Densely Populated Area" signs as prescribed by law.

Article 14. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect 45 days from the date of signature and replaces Decision No. 05/2007/QĐ-BGTVT dated February 2, 2007, of the Minister of Transport.

Article 15. Implementation Organization

1. The Director of the Ministry's Office, the Inspector General of the Ministry, the Heads of Departments, the Director of the Vietnam Highway Administration, the Directors of Provincial Departments of Transport, the Heads of agencies, organizations, and individuals concerned are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. During implementation, if any issues arise, agencies, units, and individuals should report them to the Vietnam Highway Administration for consolidation and recommendation to the Ministry of Transport for consideration and resolution./.