Decision No. 17/2004/QĐ-BGTVT on the issuance of regulations regarding speed and distance of motor vehicles operating on roads

DECISION OF THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION ON THE ISSUANCE OF REGULATIONS ON SPEED AND DISTANCE BETWEEN MOTOR VEHICLES TRAVELING ON ROADS

THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION

Pursuant to the Road Traffic Law dated June 29, 2001;

Pursuant to Decree No. 34/2003/NĐ-CP dated April 4, 2003 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;

At the proposal of the Director of the Vietnam Highway Administration and the Director of the Transport Department,

DECISION:

Article 1. This Decision promulgates the "Regulations on Speed and Distance Between Motor Vehicles Traveling on Roads."

Article 2. This Decision shall take effect 15 days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette and shall replace Decision No. 4596/2001/QĐ-BGTVT dated December 28, 2001 of the Minister of Transportation.

Article 3. The Heads of the Office, Directors of the Transport Department, Directors of the Vietnam Highway Administration, Directors of Provincial Departments of Transportation and Public Works, Heads of relevant agencies and units are responsible for implementing this Decision./.

Regulations on speed and distance between motor vehicles traveling on roads

(issued together with Decision No. 17/2004/QĐ-BGTVT dated September 30, 2004 of the Minister of Transportation).

1. General Provisions

1.1. These regulations prescribe the speed and distance between two vehicles of various types of motor vehicles traveling on roads.

1.2. Drivers of motor vehicles participating in road traffic must strictly comply with the speed and distance regulations indicated on traffic signs. In places without signs, drivers must adhere to specific provisions set forth in these regulations.

1.3. Drivers must control their vehicles at speeds and distances appropriate to the conditions of the road, traffic density, weather, vehicle condition, and their own health.

1.4. It is strictly prohibited for drivers to follow closely behind emergency service vehicles performing urgent tasks.

2. Speed of motor vehicles traveling on roads

2.1. Drivers must reduce speed to a non-dangerous level (able to stop safely) in the following situations:

a) When there is a speed limit sign, warning sign, or obstacles on the road;

b) When visibility is limited;

c) When passing intersections, where roads cross railways, roundabouts, rough, slippery, sandy sections;

d) When crossing bridges, narrow culverts; when approaching the top of a hill, descending a hill;

đ) When passing schools, crowded areas, densely populated areas, areas with houses near the road, construction sites;

e) When overtaking groups of pedestrians;

g) When animals are on or near the road;

h) When avoiding oncoming vehicles or after allowing a following vehicle to overtake;

i) When approaching bus stops or tram stations where passengers are boarding or alighting;

k) When encountering emergency vehicle convoys;

m) When encountering overloaded or oversized vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on roads without median strips;

n) When changing direction.

2.2. While driving on the road, if there are no obstacles ahead, drivers may not operate their vehicles too slowly to impede other vehicles.

2.3. On urban and city roads, when there is no "Maximum Permitted Speed" sign, under normal dry road and weather conditions, drivers may not exceed the maximum speed limits specified in Table 1.

Table 1. Maximum permitted speed for motor vehicles traveling on urban and city roads.

Under abnormal weather conditions (rain, wet and slippery roads, fog), mountainous terrain, drivers must adjust their speed appropriately, lower than the maximum speed limits specified in Table 1.

2.4. On suburban and rural roads outside cities, except highways, when there is no "Maximum Permitted Speed" sign, under normal dry road and weather conditions, drivers may not exceed the maximum speed limits specified in Table 2.

Table 2. Maximum permitted speed for motor vehicles traveling on suburban and rural roads outside cities.

Under abnormal weather conditions (rain, wet and slippery roads, fog), mountainous terrain, drivers must adjust their speed appropriately, lower than the maximum speed limits specified in Table 2.

2.5. Where the "Maximum Permitted Speed" sign indicates a higher speed than the maximum speed limits specified in Tables 1 and 2, drivers may only operate their vehicles at the maximum speed limits specified in Tables 1 and 2.

2.6. For vehicles such as tractors, farm trucks, lam trucks, rickshaws, three-wheeled motorized carts, and other locally permitted vehicles, the maximum speed allowed on roads is 30 km/h as stipulated by provincial People's Committees.

3. Speed and distance between motor vehicles traveling on expressways

3.1. When traveling on expressways, drivers may not exceed the maximum permitted speed or fall below the minimum speed specified for each road and lane, as indicated on signs or painted markings on the road.

3.2. On expressway lanes, except entry and exit lanes, drivers must maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. For dry road surfaces, the safe distance corresponding to each speed is specified in Table 3.

Table 3. Minimum safe distance between motor vehicles traveling on roads.

Under abnormal weather conditions (rain, wet and slippery roads, fog), drivers must adjust the safe distance appropriately, greater than the minimum safe distance specified in Table 3.

4. Implementation Organization

4.1. The Vietnam Highway Administration is responsible for guiding road management agencies in implementing these regulations.

4.2. Road management agencies are responsible for regularly inspecting and installing adequate speed and distance signs according to the Traffic Sign Regulations.

4.3. During the implementation process, if any obstacles arise, the Road Management Zones, Departments of Transport, Departments of Transport and Public Works, and traffic control forces shall report to the Ministry of Transport through the Vietnam Highway Corporation for timely study and supplementation or amendment./.