Vietnam Proposes Ban on Overtaking into Oncoming Lanes to Reduce Accidents

Vietnam's Traffic Police Department (Cục CSGT) has proposed to the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam to ban overtaking into oncoming lanes on certain road sections. This measure aims to eradicate overtaking through oncoming lanes, which is a primary cause of traffic accidents, and enhance traffic safety. The proposal specifically targets prohibiting entry into oncoming lanes in situations where safe overtaking is difficult, such as on narrow roads with continuous curves, steep slopes, or during nighttime with limited visibility. Overtaking should only be permitted through lane changes, by using the same-direction lane, or by utilizing designated overtaking lanes. For the immediate future, the Cục CSGT requests the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam to implement solid white lines (vạch liền) on the center lines of roads in curved and narrow sections. According to the Cục CSGT, approximately 15% of traffic accidents are caused by overtaking into oncoming lanes. It is noted that drivers tend to cross broken center lines (vạch 1.1) into oncoming lanes and fail to return to their correct lane. This behavior has gradually formed a habit of drivers attempting to overtake whenever they encounter a vehicle ahead in the same direction. Currently, many drivers disregard safety regulations and overtake as long as there is no 'no overtaking' sign. Reckless overtaking is rampant on winding roads, in areas with limited visibility, on slippery surfaces, and when oncoming vehicles are approaching. Under current regulations, drivers intending to overtake must signal using their lights or horn, overtake on the left, and ensure there are no oncoming vehicles or obstacles. Situations where overtaking is prohibited include curves, the crest of hills with limited visibility, at intersections or railway crossings, during adverse weather conditions, and when priority vehicles are performing their duties. Violators face penalties, with improper overtaking by cars incurring a fine of 4-6 million VND (approximately $160-$240 USD) and a deduction of 2 driving license points. If an accident is caused, the fine ranges from 20-22 million VND (approximately $800-$880 USD) with a deduction of 10 license points. For motorcycles, fines range from 200,000 to 1 million VND (approximately $8-$40 USD). This proposal follows a previous suggestion by the Cục CSGT on July 27th to designate the left lane of expressways as strictly for overtaking, prohibiting continuous driving. This earlier proposal stipulated that vehicles could only move to the lane closest to the central divider when needing to overtake a vehicle ahead. Previously, at the Cục CSGT's request, the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam reorganized traffic on some expressways by prohibiting trucks and buses from using the lane closest to the central divider, a measure that was initially assessed as helping to improve traffic flow.