On 15/9, the Traffic Police Department (CSGT) received a video report via social media showing a truck with apparent traffic violations on Provincial Road 287, Bong Lai Ward. Following verification, Road Traffic Police Team No. 1 identified the driver. The driver activated the overtaking signal but failed to maintain it throughout the maneuver. The video showed that after passing a dashcam-equipped vehicle, the driver did not use the right turn signal while returning to the right lane. For this infraction, the truck driver was fined 5 million dong and had two points deducted from his driving license.

Many drivers often misunderstand how long and in what manner turn signals should be used, leading to potential penalties. According to the Road Traffic Order and Safety Law 2024, a vehicle intending to overtake must signal using its headlights or horn. Additionally, when overtaking, a direction change signal must be activated and maintained throughout the process, ensuring a safe distance from both preceding and following vehicles.

This means drivers must maintain the turn signal in the direction of the change from the moment they signal their intention to overtake, change lanes, execute the maneuver, until they return to their original lane. The CSGT emphasized that turning off the signal too early can prevent surrounding vehicles from recognizing the direction of travel, particularly for large trucks with numerous blind spots.

In cars, turn signals are often designed to automatically deactivate when the driver returns the steering wheel to its original position after a turn. Therefore, during an overtaking situation, drivers must be mindful to reactivate the turn signal if it turns off automatically while steering or counter-steering. The overtaking process is only complete when the vehicle has safely returned to its lane and a safe distance is maintained.

Hai Dang