The recent incident in Lao Cai, where a driver allowed two young girls to hang out of the car window while driving on a winding mountain road, has sparked public debate. Questions arose regarding the nature and severity of the penalties for such behavior, specifically whether it constituted only a seatbelt violation or additional offenses.

According to the Traffic Police Department (Cuc Canh sat giao thong), local authorities summoned the driver. The driver was penalized for two violations: a fine of 800,000-1,000,000 VND for not wearing a seatbelt, and a fine of 4-6 million VND for allowing passengers to cling to the car door. Additionally, 6 points were deducted from the driver's license.

Mountain passes in highland provinces like Lao Cai are characterized by numerous hairpin bends and steep inclines. As a vehicle navigates these turns, inertial force pushes occupants to the opposite side. Children, with their weaker grip, cannot resist the centrifugal force during sharp turns. A sudden steering maneuver or hitting a pothole could easily cause a child to be thrown from the window. This also poses a risk of direct collision with other vehicles, roadside branches, or traffic signs.

In Vietnam, many parents often indulge their children by allowing them to stand or lie freely in the car, stick their heads out of sunroofs, or even sit on the roof or cling to the outside, similar to the incident described. These actions carry significant risks, as even one sudden brake could propel the children forward.

Nguyen Vu