"Refusing" to run a red light to not give way to priority vehicles can result in a fine of 6-8 million VND.

(NLDO)- Traffic participants who "run red lights" at the command of traffic controllers or give way to priority vehicles will not be fined.

Decree 168/2024/ND-CP takes effect from January 1, 2025, in which the fine for not obeying traffic signals (running red lights) is increased. Many people are wondering, in the case of a red light on and the Traffic Police (CSGT) signals the vehicle to move, will there be a fine?

Running a red light and giving way to priority vehicles will not be punished. Illustrative photo

Regarding the above concerns, Clause 10, Article 2 of the Law on Traffic Order and Safety states that road traffic controllers include: traffic police and people assigned to guide road traffic.

According to Article 11 of this Law on compliance with road signs, traffic participants must comply with road signs in the following order: Commands of traffic controllers; traffic lights; road signs; road markings and other signs on the road surface...

Thus, in the process of directly controlling or regulating traffic at intersections, the command and control of the traffic police is the highest command. Therefore, if the traffic light has turned red and the traffic police on duty in the traffic control area allows movement, the driver must comply and this is not considered a violation.

A representative of the Hanoi City Police Traffic Police Department said that in the case of a cold fine, the traffic police will let the violator review the clip of the entire red light violation before making a record. For direct fines, the force in charge of the lights will coordinate with the traffic police at the checkpoint, notify the red light violation to stop and handle, and send the clip from the center to the traffic police at the checkpoint to notify the violator. Therefore, when a traffic participant "runs a red light" at the command of the traffic controller, he/she will not be fined.

A representative of the Traffic Police Department of Hanoi City Police added that drivers who do not obey traffic lights to give way to priority vehicles, ambulances, etc. will not be punished because the Law on Handling Administrative Violations stipulates that no punishment will be imposed for violations committed in urgent situations.

This Law also clearly states that an urgent situation is a situation in which an individual or organization, in order to avoid a real risk that threatens the interests of the State, the organization, their legitimate rights and interests or those of others, has no other choice but to cause a damage smaller than the damage that needs to be prevented.

Notably, according to Decree 168/2024/ND-CP, a fine of VND6-8 million will be imposed on cars that do not yield or obstruct priority vehicles that are signaling to perform their duties. In addition, the driver will be fined an additional 4 points deducted from his/her license.

The Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety stipulates that priority vehicles include: fire trucks, military , police and prosecutor vehicles on emergency missions; convoys led by traffic police vehicles; ambulances on emergency missions; dyke protection vehicles on missions; vehicles on rescue missions, disaster relief, and disaster response, or vehicles on missions in emergency situations.

Except for funeral processions, priority vehicles as above are not subject to speed restrictions and are allowed to travel regardless of traffic lights, enter the opposite lane, and other roads are passable.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/tu-choi-vuot-den-do-de-khong-nhuong-duong-cho-xe-uu-tien-co-the-bi-phat-6-8-trieu-dong-196250211101850093.htm