Hanoi Public Security is expanding its AI camera system to record evidence and issue 'cold penalties' for urban order violations, including encroachment on roadways and sidewalks, and illegal stopping and parking. On 2/2 alone, authorities detected 122 verifiable violations related to urban order, public order, and environmental hygiene across 24 communes and wards.

The surveillance camera system identified six of these urban order violations, while direct reports with photographic evidence from the scene accounted for the remaining cases.

Across 25 streets and 195 key intersections, authorities strategically position 1,837 cameras to detect violations. Anh Thanh, a resident on a Hanoi street, noted that a new AI camera was installed on the road in front of his house. This street also has signs prohibiting stopping and parking.

Anh Thanh wondered how a taxi driver could pick him up in front of his house without being fined. He recognized this situation posed a challenge for both passengers and drivers.

No stopping or parking sign in an urban area of Hanoi. *Pham Du*

Citing current legal regulations, lawyer Nguyen Duc Thinh from Fanci Law Company Limited explained that regulations for stopping and parking are established to ensure traffic order and safety, applying to all vehicles, including taxis. However, in urban areas, service vehicles often encounter difficulties picking up and dropping off passengers if both passengers and drivers are unfamiliar with the regulations.

First, it is crucial to understand the difference between "no stopping" and "no parking" zones. In a "no stopping" zone, vehicles cannot halt even for a brief moment. In a "no parking" zone, vehicles may temporarily stop to allow passengers to get in or out, provided the engine remains running, the driver stays in the driver's seat, and the stop is brief.

Therefore, when booking a ride, lawyer Thinh advises passengers to prioritize convenient locations such as building lobbies, alley entrances, or streets without prohibition signs. Proactively choosing a suitable pickup point will facilitate a smoother and safer trip for both parties, avoiding penalties.

Currently, enforcement against illegal stopping and parking is strict; authorities conduct it not only through direct patrols but also via surveillance camera systems for 'cold penalties'. Fines for improper stopping or parking can amount to several million dong, and may even result in license suspension if traffic congestion occurs. Compared to a single trip's earnings, this represents a significant legal and financial risk that drivers must consider.

According to Decree 168, drivers of oto (cars) stopping in areas with "no stopping and parking" signs, or parking in areas with "no parking" or "no stopping and parking" signs, face fines ranging from 600,000 to 800,000 dong, or 600,000 dong to 1 million dong. For motorbikes, the fine is 400,000 to 600,000 dong.