What does the Traffic Police Department say?

According to the Traffic Police Department, the regulation that drivers cannot drive for more than 4 consecutive hours is to ensure they remain alert and do not become fatigued, which could easily lead to unsafe situations.

According to the Law on Road Traffic Safety, drivers of commercial and internal transport vehicles are not allowed to drive continuously for more than 4 hours, and the maximum working time per day is 10 hours.

At the same time, these drivers are also prohibited from driving for more than 48 hours a week.

According to Decree 168/2024, authorities stipulate that drivers of commercial and internal transport vehicles who exceed the prescribed driving time or fail to comply with regulations regarding rest periods between two consecutive driving sessions will be fined 3-5 million VND. An additional penalty is the deduction of 2 points from their driver's license.

In addition, vehicle owners who allow their drivers to drive continuously for longer than the permitted time will also be fined 4-6 million VND (individuals) and 8-12 million VND (organizations).

Regarding this regulation, the Traffic Police Department ( Ministry of Public Security ) stated that it is a continuation of the previous Road Traffic Law and ensures compliance with relevant provisions of the Labor Code.

According to the 2019 Labor Code, the normal working time for employees in Vietnam is no more than 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week. At the same time, the regulation limiting drivers to no more than 48 hours per week is also consistent with the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.

After four hours of continuous driving, drivers can take a break. After about 15 minutes, they are allowed to continue their journey. The ultimate goal is to help drivers stay alert and avoid fatigue, which can easily lead to unsafe situations.

"When driving with excessive concentration for more than four consecutive hours, it will, in principle, lead to fatigue. Resting helps the nervous system break the stress, allowing for the regeneration of energy," a representative from the Traffic Police Department stated.

Regulations on driving time and driver rest periods are also measures to ensure the health and safety of drivers, contributing to minimizing the risk of accidents when participating in traffic. Effective implementation of these regulations also requires a harmonious combination of individual awareness and the responsibility of transportation organizations.

Authorities also advised drivers to maintain a relaxed state of mind while driving, and to rest immediately if they feel tired or sleepy, even if they haven't been driving continuously for four hours. They emphasized that drivers should absolutely not try to "drive longer."

Regulating rest periods also helps prevent the risk of commercial transport drivers using stimulants to stay awake. "This could lead to many dangerous consequences. No stimulant can replace rest; the body needs time to recover," a representative from the Traffic Police Department affirmed.

Furthermore, in unavoidable situations, such as drivers encountering traffic jams in the city or unreliable rest stops, they may continue their journey to escape the area. "When considering these situations, traffic police will take into account other relevant factors, not just focusing on penalties. However, after escaping the unavoidable situation, drivers should immediately rest and avoid driving recklessly," a representative from the Traffic Police Department stated.

With these regulations, authorities will focus on monitoring long-distance drivers, ensuring they are proactive, anticipate, and plan their rest periods appropriately and in accordance with regulations.

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/tranh-cai-quy-dinh-tai-xe-khong-duoc-lai-xe-lien-tuc-4-gio-cuc-canh-sat-giao-thong-noi-gi-402781.html