The Traffic Police Department (under the Ministry of Public Security) has announced a proposed ban on trucks in the inner lane (lane 1) of Thang Long boulevard, starting 20/9. The maximum speed in lane 1 would remain at 100 km/h.
For the middle lane (lane 2), the Traffic Police Department has proposed reducing the maximum speed from 100 km/h to 90 km/h. The outer lane (lane 3), next to the emergency stopping lane, would maintain its current speed limit of 80 km/h, and trucks would be advised to use this lane.
The 30-kilometer Thang Long boulevard is a major westward route connecting Hanoi's city center with Hoa Binh and the northwestern provinces. Opened in 10/2010, it features six highway lanes and two parallel service roads.
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Thang Long Boulevard. Photo: Ngoc Thanh |
Thang Long Boulevard. Photo: Ngoc Thanh
In addition to Thang Long boulevard, the Traffic Police Department is also considering banning trucks from the inner lane of Vo Nguyen Giap road.
On Vo Nguyen Giap road, the current speed limits would remain in effect from the Vo Van Kiet - National Highway 2 intersection to Nhat Tan bridge, with a maximum speed of 90 km/h. However, for the section from Song Thiep bridge to the airport, currently limited to 90 km/h with three lanes and no intersections, the Department has proposed increasing the maximum speed to 100 km/h due to the smooth road surface.
The middle lane (lane 2) on this road would maintain its current maximum speed of 90 km/h, while the outer lane (lane 3) would remain at 80 km/h, with trucks advised to use lane 3.
Previously, the Vietnam Road Administration and the Traffic Police Department agreed on a three-month pilot program to ban trucks from the inner lane (lane 1) and adjust speed limits on the Hanoi - Hai Phong and Phap Van - Cau Gie expressways.
The Traffic Police Department justifies the proposed truck ban by citing statistics showing that trucks and buses account for 2.49% of registered 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.
Another issue is that many truck and bus drivers intentionally drive slowly in the inner lane, frequently changing lanes and impeding the flow of traffic, causing congestion and increasing the risk of accidents.
Viet An
