It's difficult to walk legally because of sidewalk encroachment.

Punishing pedestrians who cross the street illegally is necessary to ensure order and traffic safety. However, authorities also need to take strong action against encroachment on the sidewalks and return the path to pedestrians.

Muốn đi bộ đúng luật cũng khó vì nạn lấn chiếm lề đường - Ảnh 1. — Motorbikes still freely turn right at red light at Nguyen Binh Khiem - Nguyen Dinh Chieu intersection - Photo: PHUONG NHI

Reflecting to Tuoi Tre Online , many readers said that whether the light is green or red, motorbikes still turn right quickly, making it impossible for pedestrians to cross the street.

"This situation happens frequently, I hope the authorities will pay attention and handle it" - a reader wrote.

Reader Manh Quang sent Tuoi Tre Online his opinion on the above issue.

Encroachment on sidewalks for business, no more pedestrian space

Decree 168 increases penalties for traffic safety violations, which has been a matter of concern for many people in recent days.

One of the contents mentioned in the above decree is that pedestrians will be punished if they walk in the wrong place or cross the street at the wrong line.

But in many places, walking legally is not easy.

It is common to encroach on sidewalks, leaving pedestrians with nowhere to go.

Like Nguyen Huu Tho Street (Tan Hung Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City), from Kenh Te Bridge to Sunrise City View apartment complex, the situation of businesses encroaching on the entire sidewalk is still common.

Driving from the street looking in really can not see the sidewalk.

Some households even "cover" the bus station, some households put up stakes and put up nets to surround their goods at night, and even surround the sidewalk, even spilling onto the street.

The above situation is also common on many other roads, not only in Ho Chi Minh City.

When the sidewalk is encroached, pedestrians who want to walk on the sidewalk have no way to go, and even have to walk on the road, even though they know it is against the rules and dangerous.

Some intersections, such as in front of Lotte Mart supermarket in District 7, have built pedestrian islands for people to wait for traffic lights, but they are often occupied by vendors selling strawberry tea and snacks in the evening.

Many people climbed down to the street and waited for the light to cross.

At intersections, the beautiful images we often see recently are many cars stopping at the right line, lining up neatly. In places like that, it is very easy for people to cross the street, walking on the right line. Both pedestrians and motorcyclists follow traffic laws - very beautiful images that were rarely seen before.

But there are still some places where, whenever there are police officers there, order is maintained and strict enforcement is observed. But as soon as the police officers leave, some people run up and stop their vehicles encroaching on the pedestrian crossing.

Trying to get ahead of someone else waiting at a red light doesn't make you go much faster, but it has become a habit for many people.

For example, on Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1, there are some places along the road where pedestrian crossings are arranged. But every time the light turns red, only cars stop, while most motorbikes still rush forward.

In places where there are no lines or traffic lights, it depends entirely on luck, depending on how vehicles and pedestrians give way to each other when crossing the street.

In many countries, usually in places like this, there will be warning signs posted on the side of the road with large, round, flashing lights to help drivers easily see from a distance and proactively slow down, ready to give way when a pedestrian crosses the road.

Of course, crossing the street legally also requires the pedestrians’ own awareness and self-discipline. Punishing pedestrians who cross the street illegally is necessary to ensure traffic order and safety.

But I think the authorities also need to take strong action to deal with the situation of encroachment on the sidewalk, returning the path to pedestrians.

What is the penalty for walking in violation of regulations?

Decree 168/2024 stipulates administrative penalties for violations in the field of road traffic, including penalties for pedestrians who violate the law.

Previously, the fine in Decree 100/2019 (amended and supplemented by Decree 123/2021) was 60,000-100,000 VND. However, from January 1, 2025, Decree 168 took effect, pedestrians will be fined 2.5 times higher than before.