On 28/7, the Traffic Police Department (CSGT), an agency under the Ministry of Public Security, announced that during a recent meeting with the Vietnam Road Administration, it proposed revising overtaking regulations. The proposal specifically prohibits using the oncoming lane for overtaking on certain road types, including narrow roads, winding sections, mountain passes, and areas with limited visibility at night. Overtaking would only be permitted through lane changes within same-direction lanes or on designated overtaking lanes.

As an immediate measure, the Traffic Police Department has requested the Vietnam Road Administration to install solid lines at the center line on narrow, curved road sections. This action aims to physically prevent drivers from encroaching into the oncoming lane to overtake.

Explaining the proposal, the Traffic Police Department stated that the leading cause of traffic accidents is using the oncoming lane for overtaking, accounting for an average of 15% of all traffic accident causes. Drivers frequently tend to cross into the oncoming lane or areas with a single, broken center line (line 1.1), failing to keep to the right in their direction of travel. The department noted that "over time, drivers develop a habit of not wanting to queue; if there's a vehicle ahead in the same direction, they look for a way to overtake."

According to the department, many drivers currently overtake without regard for safety rules, operating under the assumption that if there is no "no overtaking" sign, it is permissible. This reckless overtaking is widespread, occurring even on winding roads, in areas with limited visibility, on slippery surfaces, or when oncoming vehicles are approaching.

In a related move, on 27/7, the Traffic Police Department also proposed that the left lane on expressways should be used solely for overtaking, prohibiting continuous driving. Vehicles would only be allowed to move into the lane adjacent to the median strip when needing to overtake a vehicle ahead.

Previously, at the Traffic Police Department's request, the Vietnam Road Administration reorganized traffic on certain qualified expressway sections by prohibiting trucks and passenger buses from using the lane next to the median strip. The department assessed this initial solution as having helped traffic flow more smoothly.

Viet An