On the morning of 20/9, a traffic police unit from Highway Traffic Police Team No. 1, Department 6, Traffic Police Department (CSGT) patrolled the Noi Bai - Lao Cai highway. Officers detected a passenger car driving slower than other vehicles in the same direction, yet failing to move to the right lane.

Electronic data revealed the passenger car maintained a speed of approximately 60-63 km/h for over 3 km. During this stretch, the vehicle had multiple opportunities to switch to the right lane but remained in the lane adjacent to the median. The passenger car continuously activated its left turn signal while in this lane, despite not overtaking any vehicle and proceeding slowly.

According to Decree 168/2024 on road traffic penalties, a vehicle driving slowly and failing to keep to the right lane incurs a fine of 800.000-1.000.000 VND. Consequently, the passenger car driver received a fine of 900.000 VND. The CSGT stated it will continue to penalize vehicles that drive slowly but do not move to the right lane on highways.

The CSGT has recently implemented measures to address vehicles driving slowly while occupying the lane closest to the median on northern highways. In late July, the agency proposed designating the lane adjacent to the median as an overtaking lane, to be used only for overtaking and then returning to the right lane. By August, the CSGT further suggested piloting this organization method on the Hanoi - Hai Phong and Cau Gie - Cao Bo highways. The agency stated that implementation requires suitable infrastructure, including highways with at least two lanes per direction and an emergency lane.

To ensure highways remain clear and safe, vehicles must adhere to correct lane usage and maintain a safe distance. When not overtaking, drivers should actively move to an appropriate right lane to avoid obstructing other vehicles traveling in the same direction, using the left lane near the median only for overtaking.

Hai Dang