Decision No. 213-QD/LB On Strengthening Traffic Order and Safety

Pursuant to …;

JOINT DECREE OF THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS - MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS NO. 213-QĐ/LB ON 27-1-1984 REGARDING STRENGTHENING TRAFFIC ORDER AND SAFETY.

Up until now, the State has issued many regulations on traffic order and safety. All sectors and localities have made efforts in implementation. However, due to poor organization and guidance, self-discipline in adhering to traffic laws has not been sufficiently emphasized, leading to chaotic traffic conditions and frequent serious accidents.

To vigorously enforce state laws strictly, quickly restore traffic order and safety, the Joint Ministry of Transport and Communications - Ministry of Home Affairs hereby decides:

I. CONCENTRATE ON STRICT IMPLEMENTATION OF CRUCIAL REGULATIONS ON TRAFFIC ORDER AND SAFETY.

1. All individuals and vehicles, whether mechanized or non-mechanized, from any sector must strictly comply with traffic laws for maintaining order and safety. Any violations must be promptly and severely dealt with.

a) Motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and non-mechanized vehicles must travel within designated lanes, not enter prohibited roads or travel against traffic flow. Racing, reckless overtaking, and competing to enter bridges or ferries are strictly forbidden.

b) Vehicles with tracks and those exceeding specified dimensions and weight must obtain permission from transportation authorities and strictly follow prescribed protective measures.

c) Transportation units and enterprises' motor vehicle fleets should be organized to travel in groups under the command of responsible leaders, parking at designated stops and stations.

d) Bicycles and other non-mechanized vehicles must use dedicated lanes and not enter motor vehicle lanes. On roads without dedicated lanes, they must stay close to the right curb and not enter lanes reserved for motor vehicles.

Livestock-drawn vehicles entering cities must follow designated routes and times, with drivers leading the animals and not sitting or lying on the vehicles.

e) Pedestrians must walk on sidewalks or curbs. Jumping onto or off moving trains or boats, clinging to vehicles, or sitting on top of them is strictly prohibited.

g) Railways and watercraft must strictly adhere to safe operation rules and arrive at scheduled times.

Arbitrary stopping or parking of trains along tracks, or anchoring of ships and barges at unauthorized locations, or allowing vessels to dock alongside for trading or theft is strictly prohibited.

2. Road, railway, and waterway routes must ensure continuous safety and smoothness. Traffic signals and signs must be complete and clear.

a) Alongside all motor vehicle routes and city streets, the following are strictly prohibited:

- Building houses encroaching on sidewalks or curbs, setting up stalls or markets, or letting livestock roam freely on roads.

- Drying grain, straw, or placing other obstacles on road surfaces that obstruct traffic.

- Arbitrarily occupying sidewalks or curbs for parking, loading/unloading goods, repairing, or manufacturing activities.

- Arbitrarily digging or blocking roads. If construction is permitted by road management authorities, the original road surface must be restored upon completion.

b) Along railway routes, strict maintenance of patrol schedules for tracks and tunnels must be ensured, promptly identifying and preventing any actions that infringe upon railway safety limits or obstruct train operations.

c) For waterway navigation channels, without permission from transportation authorities, no entity or individual may arbitrarily construct structures, set fish traps, or engage in any activity that impedes waterway traffic safety. Severe punishment will be meted out to those who sabotage or steal navigational aids placed in waterways.

3. All types of transport vehicles must ensure technical conditions and safety equipment as stipulated. Drivers must hold valid licenses and meet prescribed requirements.

a) Mechanized road vehicles must have effective braking systems, sufficient lights, horns, rearview mirrors, and clearly visible license plates.

b) Train formations must have both air and hand braking systems, meeting specified standards. Headlights and interior lighting in passenger cars during nighttime operation must be present. Emergency braking devices and air brake system clamps must be carefully protected and inspected according to regulations.

c) Watercraft, barges, ferries, and boats must strictly adhere to regular technical inspections and carry sufficient life-saving equipment, firefighting tools, and signaling lights as required.

d) Livestock-drawn vehicles and pedicabs must have effective brakes and lights for nighttime use.

e) All transport means, including long-distance and short-distance ferries, must not exceed their designated load capacity.

4. At ports, stations, and bus terminals, clear internal regulations must be posted and regularly reminded to ensure compliance.

- Railway stations must have sturdy fences.

- Order on trains, at stations, docks, and ports must be reinforced and maintained.

5. Identify and severely punish hoodlums involved in ticket fraud, speculation, and public disorder.

Eliminate illegal trading points along traffic routes and within station, dock, and port areas.

6. Setting up traffic control checkpoints must comply with Regulation No. 65-NV/QĐ dated 24-9-1980 of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Arbitrary checkpoint placement causing traffic obstruction or inconvenience to the public is prohibited.

Traffic inspections must be conducted strictly in accordance with the law.

7. Public Security officers and transportation staff must take responsibility seriously while performing duties. Any abuse of power for harassment, bribery, or causing public inconvenience is strictly prohibited.

II. HANDLING VIOLATIONS

The penalties for violations will be applied based on specific circumstances as follows:

1. Warning penalties according to Decree No. 143-CP dated 27-5-1977 of the Council of Ministers:

- Warning,

- Fine,

- Community service,

- Detention.

For monetary fines, pending issuance of formal amendments by the Council of Ministers, the Joint Ministry of Transport and Communications - Ministry of Home Affairs temporarily stipulates:

a) For pedestrians and cyclists who violate, a fine of from 10 dong to 20 dong shall be imposed; for other types of simple vehicles, a fine of from 20 dong to 50 dong shall be imposed.

b) For simple waterway transport means and all other types of motorized transport means that violate, a fine of from 30 dong to 50 dong shall be imposed.

In both cases a and b above, if there is a repeat violation, community service or detention penalties may be applied depending on the specific circumstances.

2. Administrative sanctions:

Depending on the specific circumstances, the following forms shall be applied:

a) Administrative sanctions according to the regulations on cargo transportation, passenger transportation, management of transport business registration, and Circular No. 51-CP dated March 10, 1983 of the Ministry of Transport regarding restrictions on long-distance automobile travel. b) For violations such as occupying sidewalks, road edges, or road surfaces to build houses, tents, store materials, park vehicles, conduct production activities, etc., administrative fines shall be levied based on the square meters of sidewalk or road occupied, with each square meter costing 50 dong. From the third day onwards, if the organization or individual does not clean up or repair the damage, the fine will be doubled. At the same time, the public security or traffic authorities will organize the cleanup, and the violator must bear all costs related to moving and preserving the items.

3. Prosecution under the law:

For serious violations such as causing traffic accidents resulting in injury or death, stealing materials or equipment from roads, bridges, or transport means, etc., prosecution under the law is required.

III. IMPLEMENTATION

To ensure strict compliance with traffic order and safety laws and this decision, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Home Affairs propose launching a nationwide campaign to restore traffic order and safety.

The Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Home Affairs request localities, the military, various sectors, and mass organizations to carry out the following actions:

1. Provincial People's Committees, city people's committees, and centrally-administered special cities shall direct the local transport and public security departments to coordinate with relevant sectors and mass organizations to launch a campaign to restore traffic order and safety at the local level and establish a routine.

For Hanoi, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Home Affairs, together with the Hanoi People's Committee, shall direct the Hanoi Transport Department and the Hanoi Public Security Department to develop a specific plan for this campaign.

2. The Ministry of National Defense shall launch this campaign within the People's Army, educating officers and soldiers, especially those in military transport units, to strictly adhere to traffic laws. The military shall cooperate with transport and public security authorities in maintaining traffic order and safety at key locations, ferry terminals, pontoon bridges, and routes with heavy military transport traffic.

3. Ministries, sectors, the General Confederation of Labor, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, and the Vietnam Women's Union shall organize the dissemination of traffic laws to cadres, members, and employees to ensure their thorough understanding and strict adherence, particularly the provisions outlined in this decision. Ministries and enterprises with many transport means shall have concrete plans to implement these regulations effectively.

4. Information agencies, press, radio, and television stations shall disseminate the contents of this decision and regularly comment, commend, and criticize traffic order and safety.

5. To achieve good results in this campaign, under the direction of the People's Committee, local transport and public security departments, which are the core forces, need to closely collaborate, have specific plans, prepare sufficient cadres and means, etc., to launch the campaign starting in February and ending in July 1984, after which it should become a regular practice. Each quarter, there will be summaries, lessons learned, commendations, and rewards for units and individuals with outstanding achievements.

The campaign to restore traffic order and safety is a broad movement involving the entire society. Therefore, this decision needs to be widely disseminated from inside to outside and to grassroots units. Dissemination efforts should focus on both education on compliance with laws and strict punishment for violations. Important provisions on traffic order and safety mentioned in Part I of this decision should be posted widely in public places. This campaign must achieve the goal of creating a strong and genuine improvement in the collective sense of responsibility of the entire population, fully utilizing the strength of all forces to ensure continuous, orderly, and safe traffic flow, reducing traffic accidents to the lowest possible level.

This Decision takes effect from the date of signature.