Messaging and Phone Use While Driving: Vietnam’s Hefty Fines to Curb Distracted Driving

New regulations that took effect on January 1st have increased the penalties for various traffic violations, with offenders facing fines of up to tens of millions of VND for different infractions.

Specifically, for the act of using a mobile phone while driving a car, the maximum fine is 6 million VND, in addition to supplementary measures such as license point deductions.

The regulations clearly state that using a hand-held mobile phone or other electronic devices while driving a car, a four-wheeled passenger vehicle with an engine, or similar vehicles will result in a fine ranging from 4 million to 6 million VND.

Using a mobile phone or other electronic devices while driving a car on the road will result in a deduction of 4 points from the driver’s license.

For those operating motorcycles or two-wheeled vehicles, using an audio device (except hearing aids), or holding and using a mobile phone or other electronic devices will incur a fine ranging from 800,000 VND to 1 million VND, along with a deduction of 4 points from their driver’s license.

As such, holding and using electronic devices like mobile phones will subject drivers to rather severe penalties.

To avoid heavy fines, drivers of road vehicles, especially car drivers, should refrain from using their mobile phones while driving, particularly for texting or any other direct manipulations on the phone’s screen.

Using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle can result in hefty fines. Photo illustration: iStock.

However, these regulations still permit hands-free phone functions for car drivers. When a mobile phone is connected to the car via Bluetooth or physical ports, the driver can make or answer calls using the steering wheel buttons and the car’s speaker system.

The prohibition of mobile phone use while driving is a regulation that has been in place in many countries around the world for quite some time, accompanied by various enforcement measures.

For instance, in Thailand, drivers are prohibited from using mobile phones while driving unless they are using a hands-free function. Violators are subject to a fine ranging from 400 baht to 1,000 baht, which is approximately 295,000 to 733,000 VND.

In Indonesia, the maximum fine for this offense is 750,000 rupee (approximately 1.17 million VND), and offenders may face imprisonment of up to three months. According to AMINEF, the use of mobile phones is considered a cause of distraction while driving, and it is illegal in this archipelagic country.

In Japan, using a mobile phone while driving a car will result in a fine of 18,000 yen (nearly 2.9 million VND). The fine for motorcycle riders is 15,000 yen (approximately 2.4 million VND), while those operating motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of 50 cc or less will be fined 12,000 yen, which is over 1.9 million VND.

Offenders will also have 3 points deducted from their license. If this behavior leads to a traffic accident, the point deduction increases to 6, and offenders may face imprisonment of up to six months.

The use of mobile phones while driving is also prohibited in China. The maximum fine for this offense is 200 NDT, which is approximately 1 million VND, and 2 points will be deducted from the driver’s license.

The fines for using a mobile phone while driving vary across different states in the US. Photo: The Dallas Morning News.

In the United States, the penalties for using a mobile phone while driving differ from state to state.

For example, in California, the fine for this offense is 162 USD (approximately 4.1 million VND) for the first violation, increasing to 285 USD (over 7.2 million VND) for subsequent violations.

In Texas, the fine for the first offense of using a mobile phone while driving is 99 USD (approximately 2.5 million VND). Subsequent violations will result in a fine of 200 USD, which is about 5.07 million VND.

In New York, the fine for the first offense is 200 USD (approximately 5 million VND). If the violation is repeated within 18 months, the fine increases to 250 USD, which is nearly 6.35 million VND. Continuous violations will result in a fine of up to 450 USD, or more than 11.4 million VND.

In general, using a mobile phone to text, browse apps, or make calls distracts drivers and prevents them from focusing on the road.

While higher fines may help reduce these behaviors, it is essential for drivers to take the initiative and raise their awareness, primarily to ensure their safety and contribute to a more civilized and safer traffic environment in Vietnam.

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