Requiring motorcycles to install dashcams is only a waste of money and unlikely to be feasible.

On the afternoon of November 24th, the National Assembly discussed the draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety in the plenary session.

To ensure consistency and avoid overlap, delegate Dieu Huynh Sang ( Binh Phuoc delegation) proposed reviewing and separating the contents related to road transport in this draft Law and the Road Law.

Representative Sang clarified that point c, clause 1, Article 33 stipulates that motor vehicles and specialized vehicles participating in traffic must have a vehicle tracking device and a device for collecting driver image data as prescribed.

Delegates expressed agreement with the regulation that the database obtained from vehicle tracking devices will be managed, operated, and utilized by the Traffic Command Center under the jurisdiction of the Traffic Police.

The representative cited that, as of June 2023, there were over 6 million cars and 73 million motorcycles and scooters in circulation nationwide. If the draft law is passed by the National Assembly, tens of millions of motorcycles and scooters would have to be equipped with dashcams. "This is unlikely to be feasible," she said.

"Currently, in many developed countries, people don't need to install dashcams to prove their innocence. Instead, authorities must prove that the vehicle owner committed a violation before they can issue a penalty. And no country has yet mandated that motorcycles must have dashcams," Ms. Sang clarified.

Dialogue - Requiring motorcycles to install dashcams is only a waste of money and unlikely to be feasible. — Delegate Dieu Huynh Sang, from Binh Phuoc province (Photo: Quochoi.vn).

The female representative also argued that requiring the installation of data and image recording devices on drivers violates the privacy and personal confidentiality rights of citizens. Furthermore, this issue relates to the technical standards and quality of the monitoring equipment, and the installation could interfere with the vehicle's electrical system, potentially leading to safety risks.

The delegate from Binh Phuoc emphasized that with the current enormous number of motorbikes in Vietnam, management and supervision are very difficult.

Meanwhile, people's average incomes remain low, and their lives are fraught with difficulties, especially in remote areas, ethnic minority communities, and border regions.

"Buying a motorbike is already difficult, and now they have to bear the additional cost of installing a dashcam. This needs to be reconsidered. For example, if they use the motorbike for gardening or farming, will this regulation be effective?" Ms. Sang questioned.

Based on the above analysis, delegate Dieu Huynh Sang argued that this regulation is not in line with reality while having a wide scope of impact. Therefore, the delegate proposed that the drafting committee only regulate the installation of vehicle tracking devices for commercial transport vehicles as currently in effect, and provide more specific regulations regarding the Data Integration and Analysis Center.

Dialogue - Requiring motorcycles to install dashcams is only costly and impractical (Figure 2). — Delegate Huynh Thi Phuc, from the Ba Ria - Vung Tau delegation (Photo: Quochoi.vn).

Representative Huynh Thi Phuc (from Ba Ria - Vung Tau delegation) argued that regulations regarding vehicle tracking devices are essential for monitoring violations.

Ms. Phuc stated that data from vehicle tracking devices helps authorities identify violations by drivers and passengers, as well as other violations of road transport regulations.

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 delegate Dieu Huynh Sang, arguing that the scope of application is still quite broad.

Specifically, Point c, Clause 1, Article 33 on conditions for participating in traffic stipulates that motor vehicles and specialized vehicles participating in traffic must have a vehicle tracking device and a device for collecting image data of the driver, ensuring image data in accordance with regulations.

Delegates argued that such a regulation could be interpreted as requiring all types of vehicles, including private cars, without exception, vehicles falling under specific regulations of the Party and State, to be equipped with vehicle tracking devices. Therefore, delegates suggested that the appropriateness and consistency of this regulation need to be carefully considered .

Source