'Requiring motorbikes to install dashcams is a waste of money'

Representative Dieu Huynh Sang argued that requiring over 6 million cars and 73 million motorbikes nationwide to install vehicle tracking devices is impractical and wasteful.

"The requirement to install video recording devices on drivers also violates the privacy rights and the right to protection of citizens' personal information," said Dieu Huynh Sang, Deputy Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Binh Phuoc province, when commenting on the draft Law on Road Traffic Safety on the afternoon of November 24.

According to Article 33 of the draft Law, motor vehicles and specialized vehicles participating in traffic must have a vehicle tracking device; a device to collect data and images of the driver, and data and images ensuring safe journeys as prescribed. Representative Sang believes this regulation is difficult to implement.

"In many developed countries, people don't have to install dashcams to prove their innocence. Instead, authorities must prove that the vehicle owner committed a traffic violation before they have the right to issue a penalty," she said.

Representative Dieu Huynh Sang speaks on the afternoon of November 24. Photo: National Assembly Media — Representative Dieu Huynh Sang speaks on the afternoon of November 24. Photo: *National Assembly Media*

The female representative also argued that devices installed in vehicles must be licensed, while the number of vehicles in circulation is so large that it is difficult for authorities to monitor them all, not to mention that "installing devices interferes with the vehicle's electrical system, posing a potential safety risk."

According to a representative from Binh Phuoc province, people's incomes are still low, especially in remote areas. They already struggle to afford a motorbike, and having to bear the additional cost of installing a dashcam is wasteful. With some types of cameras that integrate management software and data storage, users may have to pay extra monthly fees.

"This content needs to be reconsidered because people in mountainous areas only use these vehicles for gardening and farming, so will this policy be effective? No country requires motorcycles to have dashcams installed," she said, suggesting that the drafting committee only require dashcams for commercial transport vehicles; and that regulations be more specific regarding the data center for managing and effectively utilizing the collected images.

Regarding private vehicles, "the draft should be adjusted to encourage people to install vehicle tracking devices; pilot programs should be organized and a suitable roadmap should be established."

Delegate Huynh Thi Phuc (Deputy Head of the Ba Ria - Vung Tau delegation) argued that installing vehicle tracking devices on commercial transport vehicles is essential. Data from these tracking devices helps authorities identify violations by drivers, passengers, and other road transport traffic violations.

In addition, the data transferred to the monitoring center of the authorities also serves to ensure traffic safety and order, prevent and promptly handle acts that endanger the lives of passengers and road users; and assess the compliance with the law by businesses and drivers.

However, Ms. Phuc shared the same view as Representative Sang, stating that "the scope of application is still quite broad." "The draft regulation on motor vehicles and specialized motorcycles participating in traffic" can be understood as encompassing all types of vehicles, including personal vehicles, without excluding those subject to specific regulations. She suggested that the appropriateness and consistency need to be considered," the representative said.

Representative Huynh Thi Phuc. Photo: National Assembly Media — Representative Huynh Thi Phuc. Photo: *National Assembly Media*

In an interview with VnExpress in September, a representative from the Traffic Police Department explained that many private vehicle owners are now equipping their vehicles with dashcams to record images and incidents on the road. Based on this reality, the Ministry of Public Security proposed that private cars be fitted with dashcams.

"However, this is not mandatory; authorities only encourage people to install dashcams in their personal cars to protect themselves in traffic safety situations," a representative from the Traffic Police Department said.

By installing a dashcam, drivers can prove right from wrong in unexpected situations on the road. Vehicle owners can also record evidence of vehicle damage, providing it to authorities for processing, thus contributing to "protecting their own health and safety, as well as that of others, and ensuring traffic safety and order."

"Authorities do not collect data from vehicle tracking devices; they only request citizens' cooperation in providing it when incidents occur on the road or when they record incidents involving other vehicles," a representative from the Traffic Police Department said.

Decree 47/2022 amending Decree 10/2020 on road transport business stipulates that vehicles used for transport business for the first time must install a vehicle tracking device with a camera. The installed camera must have the function of recording and storing images; images from the camera installed on the vehicle must be transmitted at a frequency of 12 to 20 times per hour to the transport business unit and the competent state management agency.

Data must be stored for a minimum of the last 72 hours; it must not be modified or altered before, during, or after transmission.

Currently, there is no regulation requiring motorcycles to be equipped with vehicle tracking devices. This draft law is expected to be considered and passed by the National Assembly at its mid-year session in 2024.

Son Ha

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