The Vietnam Road Administration has proposed that expressway management units investigate and develop a pilot plan for lane-based traffic, incorporating "overtaking lanes." This initiative aims to optimize traffic flow and improve safety.

The three expressways recommended for this study are Hanoi - Hai Phong, Cau Gie - Cao Bo, and Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet. This investigation is based on a proposal from the Traffic Police Department (CSGT) regarding dedicated overtaking lanes on expressways.

According to the CSGT's proposed plan, the lane closest to the median (lane one) would be designated exclusively for overtaking. Vehicles should only use this lane to overtake. After completing the maneuver, drivers must return to the appropriate right lane that matches their speed, avoiding continuous driving in the overtaking lane when right lanes are clear.

A section of the Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet expressway. *Photo: Viet Quoc*

The CSGT stated that on expressways with two or more lanes per direction, heavy trucks, buses, and slow-moving vehicles often occupy the leftmost lane, failing to yield to vehicles behind. This practice reduces traffic capacity and forces following vehicles into sudden right-side overtakes, heightening the risk of collisions.

The Hanoi - Hai Phong expressway is deemed suitable for this initiative, boasting standard infrastructure and a comprehensive smart traffic system. For the Cau Gie - Cao Bo expressway, the CSGT proposes studying the Cau Gie - Ninh Binh section, which features four lanes and two emergency lanes, while also adjusting the maximum operating speed to 100 km/h.

As per the Vietnam Road Administration's request, management units must assess current traffic organization, operational characteristics, and lane usage to select a suitable plan. The pilot period is expected to last three months. Units are required to finalize the plan and implementation schedule for the Vietnam Road Administration's review and approval.

Three regulations will change how Vietnamese drivers use expressways soon. *Graphic: Ho Tan - with AI tool assistance*

The study of organizing overtaking lanes follows the CSGT's public awareness campaigns and demonstrations on using the left lane on some northern expressways. On 21/8, the CSGT used four vehicles to model how to switch to lane one for overtaking and then return to the right lane on the Hanoi - Hai Phong and Cau Gie - Ninh Binh expressways. Traffic police simultaneously used loudspeakers to instruct vehicles not to occupy the left lane when not needing to overtake.

Hai Dang