On 4/12/2024, the Traffic Police Department fined a truck driver on the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway, after images circulated on social media showing the vehicle suspected of acting as a "decoy". The images were later verified by authorities.
Truck moving slowly and encroaching on the emergency lane of the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway on 30/11/2024. Video provided by a citizen
The truck was observed moving slowly at kilometer marker 207+100 on the afternoon of 30/11/2024. It did not fully enter the emergency lane; only its right wheels were in the lane, while its left wheels remained in the outer lane. This incident quickly sparked public debate, with many suspecting the vehicle was a "decoy" (a term for a vehicle that intentionally drives slowly to provoke other drivers into committing traffic violations). The alleged purpose was to force other drivers to cross a solid yellow line, which is a traffic offense, in order to overtake.
Highway Traffic Police Team one, Department 6, Traffic Police Department, stated that driver Nguyen Van Luyen, born in 1994 and residing in Lao Cai city, admitted to the violation. He explained that he was feeling tired and drowsy at the time, which led him to move his vehicle into the emergency lane to drive slowly. According to Decree 168/2024, Luyen was fined 5 million VND and had two points deducted from his driving license for using the emergency lane for travel when there was no breakdown or dangerous situation.
Current regulations permit drivers to stop in the emergency lane if they are tired, drowsy, or experiencing a technical issue. However, driving slowly or continuously moving within this lane is prohibited. When a stop is necessary, drivers must activate their hazard warning lights and place a triangular warning sign at the appropriate distance to alert other vehicles. Operating a vehicle slowly in the emergency lane is still considered a violation.
"Decoy" is a common term used by drivers to describe vehicles that intentionally drive slowly on expressways or national highways outside residential areas, especially on sections with only one lane per direction. Even when the road ahead is clear, these "decoy" vehicles might travel at just 20-30 km/h. Impatient drivers following them may overtake on a solid line (where overtaking is prohibited), only to be stopped and fined by traffic police a few hundred meters or one to two kilometers ahead.
When traveling on such roads, drivers should remain patient, even if the vehicle ahead is moving slowly. They should wait until they reach sections with broken yellow lines and clear two-way traffic conditions before attempting to overtake.
Pham Hai
