Da Nang traffic police withdrew a speeding fine after a driver rushed a neighbor to the hospital, classifying it as emergency medical transport. Read the full details now.
On May 21, 2024, a traffic police unit in Da Nang, Vietnam, stopped a car for exceeding the speed limit by 15 km/h.
Why the driver was speeding
The driver, identified as the owner of vehicle 43C‑326.xx, was rushing a neighbor who had suddenly suffered a severe heart attack. The neighbor required immediate transport to Quang Nam General Hospital, located about 15 km away.
The violation
Speed cameras recorded the car traveling at 65 km/h in a zone where the maximum allowed speed is 50 km/h. The officer on duty issued a standard administrative fine for “speeding 10‑20 km/h over the limit.”
Investigation and exemption
After the patient was admitted to the hospital, the driver was summoned to the police headquarters. Hospital records, the admission paperwork, and CCTV footage confirmed the emergency nature of the trip.
According to Vietnam’s Law on Handling Administrative Violations, a “compelling emergency” (Điều 2, Khoản 2) can exempt a person from administrative penalties when the act is necessary to avoid a greater harm. The law lists five situations where a violation is not punishable, and urgent medical transport is one of them.
Outcome
Recognizing the situation as a legitimate emergency, the Da Nang traffic police cancelled the speeding ticket, removed the violation from the national database, and announced the decision on their official Facebook page.
What this means
The case highlights how Vietnamese traffic authorities apply the emergency‑exemption clause, balancing road safety with the need to protect life‑threatening situations.
Drivers who find themselves in similar urgent circumstances should be prepared to provide medical documentation and cooperate fully with law‑enforcement officials.