Traffic in Ho Chi Minh City is changing unexpectedly.

(NLDO) - More than half a month after the implementation of Decree 168/2024, traffic in Ho Chi Minh City has seen positive changes, with people complying with the law and improving their awareness of traffic participation.

From January 1, 2025, when Decree 168/2024 comes into effect, the traffic compliance awareness of people in Ho Chi Minh City has seen many positive changes.

Street scene in Ho Chi Minh City at noon on January 16 - Photo: NGOC QUY

At the Thu Duc intersection, people strictly obey traffic light signals and stay in their lanes. The phenomenon of driving on sidewalks is no longer present. At the Vo Van Ngan - Street No. 6 intersection (Linh Chieu ward), despite the heavy traffic, people still refrain from driving on sidewalks to avoid congestion.

Mr. Vo Tan Tai (a resident of Thu Duc City) shared: "Since the fines increased, people's traffic awareness has improved significantly. Previously, motorbikes often rode on the sidewalks from Vo Van Ngan Street into Street No. 6, but now that the sidewalks are kept safe for pedestrians, I feel more at ease."

At the To Ngoc Van - Pham Van Dong intersection, traffic compliance is similar.

In the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, at the Hang Xanh intersection – a notoriously congested traffic junction – traffic conditions have also improved. Vehicles are staying in their lanes, avoiding cutting in line or driving onto sidewalks, even while waiting at red lights in the scorching midday sun.

Ms. Thu Hang, a resident of the area, commented: "Since Decree 168 came into effect, people have been complying better. Although waiting at red lights takes longer, traffic is more orderly, and there is no longer chaos or gridlock."

People in Ho Chi Minh City strictly abide by the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety - CLIP: NGOC QUY - AI MY

Traffic on roads such as Ly Chinh Thang, Vo Thi Sau, Nguyen Thong (District 3); Ngo Gia Tu, An Duong Vuong (District 5); Nguyen Tri Phuong, Ba Thang Hai (District 10) also showed improvement. Pedestrians complied with the law, did not drive on sidewalks, and stopped at red lights in the correct positions.

Mr. Ly Minh Chien (residing in District 3) commented: "Decree 168 has had a strong impact, making many people understand and comply with the law. This both avoids penalties and demonstrates civility." Mr. Chien believes that the high but reasonable fines help protect personal and community safety.

Many people are also proactively promoting traffic safety, especially among young people. Ms. Tran Ngoc My (a resident of District 10) said that she always reminds her children to wear helmets and obey the law whether going to school or going out. According to her, the biggest concern is safety, not the fines.

Accidents decreased.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Loi, Deputy Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Safety Committee, since Decree 168 came into effect, the penalties for violations such as failing to obey traffic lights or driving on sidewalks have increased. Authorities have also intensified inspections and strictly penalized violations, significantly reducing traffic safety issues and accidents.

Colonel Nguyen Dinh Duong, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Police, reported that after the implementation of Decree 168, traffic accidents in the city decreased by 24% compared to the same period in 2024, while traffic violations also decreased significantly, contributing to a substantial improvement in urban traffic order and safety.

These are images captured by reporters from Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper on January 16th:

People stop before the white line waiting for the red light at Thu Duc intersection - Photo: NGOC QUY

Traffic on roads such as Ly Chinh Thang, Vo Thi Sau, Nguyen Thong (District 3); Ngo Gia Tu, An Duong Vuong (District 5); Nguyen Tri Phuong, Ba Thang Hai (District 10) also showed improvement - Photo: AI MY

People are strictly complying with regulations in the area of ​​Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, District 10 - Photo: Ai My

Pedestrians obey the law, not driving on the sidewalk, and stopping at red lights in the correct positions - Photo: AI MY

At the Hang Xanh intersection – a busy traffic junction – traffic conditions have also improved. Vehicles are staying in their lanes, not cutting in line or driving on the sidewalks, even while waiting at red lights in the scorching midday sun. - Photo: NGOC QUY

People stand at the designated line, not driving on the sidewalk, on Vo Van Ngan Street despite the heavy and congested traffic - Photo: NGOC QUY

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nghi-dinh-168-2024-giao-thong-tp-hcm-doi-thay-bat-ngo-196250116161447043.htm