On the morning of 28/6, while driving on Xuan Thuy Street in Cau Giay, I was startled by a large umbrella moving quickly down the road. As I approached, I realized with difficulty that it was attached to a motorcycle driven by a man. The motorcycle was piled high with various goods, but the most striking feature was the umbrella, over a meter in diameter, positioned above the driver. I quickly moved away.

I couldn't understand how this person could navigate with such a large umbrella obstructing their view. Besides the obvious visibility issues, the cumbersome umbrella would make controlling the motorcycle difficult. At higher speeds, wind resistance against the umbrella could cause it to flip, potentially pulling the entire motorcycle over. This not only endangers the driver but also poses a risk to other road users. While everyone understands the need to make a living, it shouldn't come at the expense of one's own safety and the safety of others.

A cumbersome umbrella perched atop a motorcycle loaded with goods. Photo: Ba Cuong

A cumbersome umbrella perched atop a motorcycle loaded with goods. Photo: Ba Cuong

Recently, I've noticed a growing trend in Vietnam of using fixed umbrellas on motorcycles, a common sight in China. However, given the frequent heavy rain and strong winds, this practice is extremely dangerous. Imagine the umbrella in the photo encountering a strong gust of wind, causing the driver to lose control and potentially collide with someone nearby. The consequences could be devastating.

Authorities should impose stricter penalties for such violations as a deterrent, rather than waiting for an accident to occur. For their own safety and the safety of others, those transporting goods should explore safer alternatives, contributing to a more civilized and orderly traffic environment.

Decree 168/2024 states that operating a motorcycle with an attached umbrella is a traffic safety violation due to obstructed vision, impaired control, and potential accident risk. The penalty is a fine of 800,000-1,000,000 VND and deduction of 4 points from the driver's license. If an accident occurs, the fine can reach 10-14 million VND with a 10-point deduction.

Ba Cuong