Congestion on the Hanoi - Hai Phong and Phap Van - Cau Gie expressways, particularly near Hanoi, has become increasingly complex. To address this, the Traffic Police Department proposed lane divisions and traffic reorganization to improve traffic safety and order. This prompted a meeting on 4/8 between the Vietnam Road Administration, Vietnam Infrastructure Development and Finance Investment Joint Stock Company (VIDIFI), Phap Van - Cau Gie BOT Joint Stock Company, and the Traffic Police Department to discuss traffic adjustments.
The parties agreed to a three-month trial of the new traffic organization plan, starting 15/8. Lanes are numbered from the median strip outwards: lane 1 is closest to the median, followed by lane 2, lane 3, and the emergency stopping lane (closest to the roadside).
 |
Phap Van - Cau Gie expressway towards Hanoi's city center. Photo: Huy Manh |
Phap Van - Cau Gie expressway towards Hanoi's city center. Photo: Huy Manh
On the Hanoi - Hai Phong expressway, lane 1 will be prohibited for trucks, with a speed limit of 120 km/h and a minimum speed of 90 km/h. Lane 2 is for regular vehicles, with a speed limit of 120 km/h and a minimum of 80 km/h. Lane 3 is also for regular vehicles, with a speed limit of 100 km/h and a minimum of 60 km/h. The Vietnam Road Administration maintained the 120 km/h speed limit for lane 2, despite the Traffic Police Department's proposal of 100 km/h.
On the Phap Van - Cau Gie expressway, lane 1 will be prohibited for trucks, with a speed limit of 100 km/h and a minimum of 80 km/h. Lane 2 is for regular vehicles, with a speed limit of 100 km/h and a minimum of 70 km/h. Lane 3 is also for regular vehicles, with a speed limit of 100 km/h and a minimum of 60 km/h.
Expressway management companies are currently repainting lane markings and adjusting signage to guide vehicles.
 |
Hanoi - Ninh Binh expressway with the new lane divisions from 15/8. Photo: Traffic Police Department |
Hanoi - Ninh Binh expressway with the new lane divisions from 15/8. Photo: Traffic Police Department
The Traffic Police Department justified the truck ban in lane 1 by citing statistics: trucks and buses account for 2.49% of registered road vehicles, but are involved in 37.1% of accidents and 40.27% of road fatalities. On average, one in every three accidents involves a truck, trailer, semi-trailer, or bus. Furthermore, many truck and bus drivers intentionally drive slowly in lane 1, frequently changing lanes and impeding traffic flow, causing congestion, and increasing accident risks.
Doan Loan
