The Green Light Dilemma: Go or Stop?

Since the beginning of the year when Decree 168 came into effect, there has been a notable improvement in the driving habits and awareness of vehicle operators when navigating the roads. With a series of changes in fine amounts, many users on social media and forums have expressed apprehension when approaching intersections.

Fines up to 20 million VND for running a yellow light

According to Decree 168, motorcycle riders can be fined 4-6 million VND if they fail to comply with the signal and intentionally run a yellow light. In addition to the administrative fine, the violator will have 4 points deducted from their driving license. In the event of a traffic accident caused by running a yellow light, the motorcycle rider will be fined 10-14 million VND and have 10 points deducted from their license.

For car drivers, the administrative fine for running a yellow light and failing to obey traffic signals is 18-20 million VND. The driver will also have 4 points deducted from their license. If they intentionally run a yellow light and cause a traffic accident, 10 points will be deducted from their license, and they will be fined 20-22 million VND.

Compared to the previous regulations, the administrative fine for this violation has increased eightfold. The previous Decree 123 stated that the fine for motorcycle riders running a yellow light was between 800,000 and 1 million VND. Car drivers who committed the same violation were fined 4-6 million VND.

When the light turns yellow, vehicles must stop before the stop line. If the vehicle has already crossed the line before the light turns yellow, it is permitted to continue with caution.

The regulation clearly states that when the light turns yellow, drivers need to stop at the designated stop line. However, if the vehicle has already crossed the line before the light changes, it is allowed to proceed with reduced speed.

When approaching intersections, if a vehicle has already crossed the stop line and the yellow light starts flashing, the driver is permitted to continue with caution, maintaining a slow speed, and giving way to pedestrians and disabled individuals using wheelchairs.

To proceed or to stop early and wait for the yellow light?

The high fines have caused concern among many when approaching intersections. Some opinions on social media and forums suggest that when the green light has 5 seconds left, drivers should slow down and stop to avoid violations.

“Nowadays, even when the green light has 5 seconds left, I’m still hesitant to accelerate. The fines are very high, so it’s reasonable to stop and wait for the yellow light,” shared Mr. Đức Cường from Ho Chi Minh City.

Others expressed that the increased fines are more of a deterrent, and the nature of the law remains unchanged. According to Mr. Hoàng Minh, a taxi driver in Ho Chi Minh City, it has been a long-standing habit for experienced drivers to stop when the green light has less than 3-4 seconds left. Therefore, the change in the fine amount is not a significant concern.

When the green light has 5 seconds left, slow down if you haven’t reached the stop line yet. Source: Duy Hiệu.

“The regulation clearly states that if a vehicle has already crossed the line and the light turns yellow, it is not considered a violation. So, I still drive as usual. Previously, when the green light had less than 3 seconds left, I would proactively stop as well, so there’s nothing to worry about,” shared Mr. Hoàng Minh.

In general, when the green light has 5 seconds left, road users should carefully consider the situation to ensure safety. If you are far from the stop line, it is reasonable to slow down and prepare to stop, avoiding running the light when the signal changes to yellow.

On the other hand, if the vehicle has already reached or crossed the stop line, the driver should continue moving to avoid causing congestion or endangering vehicles behind. Acting promptly and lawfully ensures not only your safety but also the safety of the community.

At the time when Decree 168 was first implemented, people’s driving habits underwent changes, and concerns about the fine amounts may have led to drivers choosing to stop even when the signal had not yet turned yellow, causing congestion and backing up vehicles behind them, impacting overall traffic conditions.

In response to this situation, the government and relevant authorities have been working on solutions to address the issue.

Countdown timers and turn signals will be installed to reduce congestion at intersections. Source: Duy Hiệu.

In an interview with Tri Thức – Znews, Mr. Nguyễn Thành Lợi, Vice Head of the Traffic Safety Board under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, shared that the Department had identified some issues in traffic management, which contributed to increased congestion.

In response to this situation, the Ho Chi Minh City Police and the Department of Transport have agreed to implement solutions to reduce vehicle volume at intersections.

“In the future, the Ho Chi Minh City Police will continue to coordinate with relevant units to review, install, repair, and supplement traffic signals to reduce the pressure on vehicles waiting at red lights, making it more convenient and safer for road users,” added Mr. Lợi.

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