Vietnam’s Traffic Police clarify a 21.5 million VND fine for illegal U-turns in Thanh Hoa. Learn the rules to avoid heavy penalties. Read more!
A recent traffic citation in Thanh Hoa province has sparked a heated debate online, with many questioning whether the traffic police had incorrectly cited a driver. The driver in question was hit with a staggering total fine of 21.5 million VND after performing a U-turn in a restricted area. To clear the air, the official fanpage of the Vietnam Traffic Police Department (Ministry of Public Security) has released a detailed explanation based on surveillance footage.
The Incident: A Chain of Violations
According to the Traffic Police Department, camera footage from April 3, 2026, captured a vehicle with Thanh Hoa license plates committing two distinct violations in a short window of time. The police analysis broke down the events as follows:
Violation 1: Disregarding the Traffic Signal
At 11:50:12 AM, as the vehicle approached the stop line, the traffic light turned yellow. Instead of coming to a halt, the driver proceeded past the stop line and immediately began a U-turn. Under the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety and Decree 168/2024, this specific maneuver is a serious offense.
- Penalty: A fine ranging from 18 million to 20 million VND.
- License Impact: A deduction of 4 points from the driver’s license.
Violation 2: Illegal U-Turn on a Pedestrian Crossing
The footage further revealed that between 11:50:15 AM and 11:50:21 AM, the driver executed the U-turn directly on a designated pedestrian crossing (marked by line 7.3 as per Standard 41:2024).
This additional act constitutes a separate violation, carrying an administrative fine of 2 to 3 million VND. When combined with the first offense, the total penalty reached 21.5 million VND (assuming no aggravating or mitigating circumstances).
What the Law Says About Pedestrian Crossings
The Traffic Police Department highlighted a crucial point from Clause 4, Article 15 of the 2024 Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety. The law explicitly prohibits drivers from making U-turns in the following areas:
- Pedestrian crossings.
- On bridges, at the ends of bridges, or under overpasses.
- At level crossings with railways.
- Narrow roads, steep slopes, or curves with obstructed visibility.
- Highways and road tunnels.
- One-way streets (unless directed by a traffic officer or temporary signage).
Key Takeaway for Drivers
One of the main points of contention in the public debate was whether the U-turn was illegal if no pedestrians were currently crossing the street. The Traffic Police Department provided a definitive answer: U-turning on a pedestrian crossing is strictly forbidden at all times, regardless of whether pedestrians are present or not.
This ruling serves as a stern reminder to all motorists to strictly adhere to road markings and signal lights to avoid massive fines and the loss of license points.