Turn right on red light: No, or...?

The expansion of the regulation allowing right turns on red lights on suitable routes is being studied by relevant agencies.

On the afternoon of January 7, at the intersection of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai - Nam Ky Khoi Nghia (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), a series of vehicles moved slowly. Although the traffic jam lasted for a long time, there were no motorbikes climbing the curb or turning right at red lights, which is common.

The intersection of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia is often congested. Photo: NGOC QUY

Long traffic jam

Traffic participants inched forward, waiting for multiple green lights to escape this traffic jam. Similar situations also occurred at intersections such as Nam Ky Khoi Nghia - Nguyen Du, Hai Ba Trung - Dien Bien Phu (District 1).

At Phu Nhuan intersection (Phu Nhuan district), people traveling from Phan Dinh Phung street to Phu Nhuan intersection have difficulty turning right onto Phan Dang Luu street. Due to the lack of signs or traffic lights, this intersection is often congested. Another point is the Hoang Van Thu - Phan Thuc Duyen intersection (Tan Binh district), although this is an area with high traffic volume and one-way streets, right turns are not allowed and congestion occurs.

Hoang Van Thu - Phan Thuc Duyen intersection. Photo: NGOC QUY

Mr. Minh Son (35 years old, living in Binh Thanh district) said that he often faces traffic jams during rush hour. He feels that recently, many people have become more disciplined when participating in traffic, but traffic jams seem to be more serious. "If some roads were allowed to turn right when the light is red, traffic would certainly be more open," said Mr. Son.

High fines

In fact, people in the past, when coming to red traffic lights, often "naturally" let their vehicles turn right. However, according to Point c, Clause 4, Article 11 of the 2024 Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, red traffic lights are prohibited. Therefore, when encountering red lights, road users are not allowed to turn right, except in cases where there are additional signs allowing right turns.

Decree 168/2024, effective from January 1, 2025, stipulates that drivers of cars or similar vehicles who do not comply with traffic lights will be fined VND18-20 million; for motorbikes, VND4-6 million. In addition to the fine, violators will also have their driving license points deducted.

According to a representative of the Traffic Police Department of Ho Chi Minh City Police, from January 1 to 4, the Traffic Police Department and the Police of districts, towns, and Thu Duc City have handled 6,106 traffic violations with fines totaling more than VND10 billion. Of which, the Traffic Police force in Ho Chi Minh City handled 225 cases of running red lights with 7 cars and 218 motorbikes.

An officer from the Traffic Police Department of Ho Chi Minh City Police confirmed that people are only allowed to turn right when regulated by the Traffic Police; intersections with signs allowing right turns on red lights; intersections with green arrow lights allowing right turns...

Expert recommendation

Architect Truong Nam Thuan (Thien Nam Anh Investment Consulting Joint Stock Company) said that Decree 168/2024, with the goal of raising awareness of traffic compliance and reducing violations such as running red lights, has created a step forward in traffic management. However, when this decree was implemented in practice, especially in big cities like Ho Chi Minh City, it revealed a number of problems.

One of the manifestations is that people have become too afraid of red lights. High fines and penalty points for violations make many drivers afraid to turn right on red lights without an auxiliary sign.

"When the red light turns on, many vehicles stop, creating a large traffic jam, and when the green light turns on, the remaining vehicles cannot be handled, making the congestion even more serious," said architect Truong Nam Thuan, adding that strict regulations but a lack of flexibility will increase congestion.

Architect Nguyen Dinh Hoa, a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Planning and Development Association, said that the regulation prohibiting right turns at red lights makes it easier for pedestrians to cross the street without worrying about traffic turning right. However, this increases congestion and environmental pollution at most intersections with high traffic volume. In addition to pressure on traffic flow, the extension of travel time also wastes time and social resources.

The short-term solution is to allow right turns for motorbikes and bicycles on most roads in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, signs requiring slow-down for right-turning motorbikes and bicycles should be installed to ensure pedestrian safety when crossing the street.

Regarding long-term solutions, architect Nguyen Dinh Hoa proposed that there should be a synchronous and reasonable planning for traffic infrastructure, ensuring the ratio of road area in accordance with international standards. Along with that, there should be development of public transport system.

Raising awareness of compliance

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Loi, Deputy Head of the Traffic Safety Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, the regulation of not turning right at red lights has been applied for a long time to ensure safety for pedestrians - a vulnerable group in traffic. The habit of turning right at red lights in Ho Chi Minh City is common due to the large number of vehicles and the inadequate infrastructure. However, this behavior violates the law and will be strictly handled to raise people's awareness of obeying traffic laws.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Loi, Ho Chi Minh City has also allowed right turns at some qualified intersections and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport and related agencies are studying to expand the application of regulations allowing right turns at red lights on suitable routes. This not only ensures traffic safety but also contributes to improving congestion at hot spots, especially during rush hour...

Source: https://nld.com.vn/re-phai-khi-den-do-cam-hay-la-196250107214342816.htm