When can you run a red light without getting a fine?

Motorcyclists who run red lights will be fined between 4 and 6 million VND. Photo: Dinh Hieu

According to Government Decree 168/2024, the fines for failing to obey traffic lights (running a red light) have been increased. Motorcyclists who violate this rule will be fined between 4 and 6 million VND, while car drivers will be fined between 18 and 20 million VND.

In the initial days of implementation, in major cities, the vast majority of people strictly adhered to the regulations when participating in traffic.

However, many people wonder whether they will be penalized for unavoidable situations that force them to run a red light. Regarding this issue, a representative from the Traffic Police Department ( Ministry of Public Security ) stated that some cases of failing to obey traffic signals are not subject to penalties, including priority vehicles on duty, which are among the categories exempt from penalties.

"The Law on Handling Administrative Violations stipulates that no penalties will be imposed in cases where the violation is committed in an emergency situation," a representative from the Traffic Police Department explained.

According to this source, current regulations stipulate that priority vehicles on duty include: Fire trucks of the Fire and Rescue Police and fire trucks of other forces mobilized for firefighting; vehicles of the military , police, and prosecution forces on urgent duty; convoys with traffic police escort; ambulances on emergency duty; dike maintenance vehicles; vehicles on rescue, relief, disaster relief, or epidemic response duty as prescribed by law; and funeral processions.

Except for funeral processions, all other priority vehicles are not subject to speed limits; they are allowed to proceed regardless of traffic lights, drive against the flow of traffic, and use other roads that are accessible.

Specifically on highways, these vehicles are only allowed to travel against the flow of traffic in the emergency lane; they must obey the instructions of traffic controllers and temporary traffic signs.

The Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety stipulates that road users must obey road signs in the following order of priority: First, the instructions of traffic controllers; second, traffic lights; third, road signs; fourth, road markings and other signs on the road surface…

When passing through an intersection, police officers will assess the situation and issue signals for vehicles to move or stop. At this time, drivers are allowed to disregard the traffic lights without being penalized.

Recently, there have been reports of some traffic lights malfunctioning, suddenly changing color or changing color before the countdown timer is complete, or failing to change color after the timer has finished, leading to people unintentionally violating traffic regulations.

Representatives from the Traffic Police Department also confirmed that police will not issue fines at intersections experiencing problems.

"Citizens will not be unfairly or wrongly fined by traffic police in these cases," a representative from the Traffic Police Department said.

VN (according to Vietnamnet)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/khi-nao-vuot-den-do-nhung-khong-bi-xu-phat-402314.html