Currently, traffic cameras are ubiquitous, making driving require not just a license but also strong nerves and the ability to self-reflect after each trip. Recently, I developed a new habit: checking for traffic fines daily. This isn't because I drive recklessly or seek thrills; I simply fear inadvertently committing a violation without realizing it. Many infractions stem not from ignorance of the law, but from long-standing habits.

For instance, encroaching on the stop line at a red light. Stopping at a red light is straightforward, but where to stop is another matter. Even if a wheel rolls just a few dozen centimeters past the line, it might seem insignificant to the naked eye, but cameras clearly detect the violation. This often occurs in moments of impatience, when the space ahead is clear, and motorbikes are crowded behind, prompting a driver to inch forward for more room. That small move could result in a fine of several million dong a few days later.

Then there's illegal parking, a habit often rationalized by the thought, 'I'll just be a moment.' That brief moment is enough for cameras to record, for the system to store, and for you to later check online with an increasing heartbeat. Parking too close to the curb and crossing the line, or parking directly under a "no stopping/parking" sign—even if others commonly do—can all become clear, undeniable evidence.

Another common everyday error is turning from the wrong lane or in the wrong direction. You might be in a straight-only lane but see the right-turn lane is clear and impulsively turn. At that moment, there's no horn, no police officer, and no one to warn you. However, the camera is still there, quietly, patiently recording the entire process of turning wherever it's convenient.

Not to mention the error of not using a turn signal when changing lanes, or activating it too late. Drivers may believe they signaled, but cameras only validate the signal if it appears before the lane change maneuver, not after it's nearly complete.

Consequently, checking for traffic fines daily has gradually become like a "game" for me. It's quite dramatic and suspenseful; if my name isn't there today, I breathe a sigh of relief. However, this has also slowly cultivated a new driving habit: slowing down a bit, stopping precisely at the line, parking in the correct spot, and staying in the right lane. If I can't do that immediately, then at the very least, I remember to check daily, just to get used to the feeling.

Reader Vu Vu