Vehicle encroaching on safe distance not considered a violation

Traffic police will consider actual circumstances, not just the distance at a single moment, when penalizing drivers if another vehicle unexpectedly changes lanes in front.

On 27/8, Highway Traffic Police Team No. 3 conducted inspections and addressed safe distance violations on the Phap Van - Cau Gie - Cao Bo - Mai Son - National Highway 45 - Nghi Son route.

Before implementation, many drivers worried if they would be fined for maintaining a correct distance only to have another vehicle cut in. For example, a vehicle is 70 m from the one ahead, but an oto changes lanes in between, reducing the distance to only 20-30 m.

A representative from the Traffic Police Department stated that a sudden reduction in distance caused by another vehicle changing lanes in front does not automatically mean the trailing driver is in violation. Authorities will examine the entire sequence of events to determine if the driver actively maintained a safe distance.

Authorities will utilize surveillance cameras, traffic signs, and professional measures to clarify situations before issuing penalties. Situations where the distance changes unexpectedly due to another vehicle changing lanes, the lead vehicle experiencing an emergency requiring sudden braking, or traffic congestion are not automatically deemed violations.

After an unexpected situation, the trailing driver must still reduce speed or adjust to re-establish a safe distance when traffic conditions allow. Drivers who continue to follow closely despite having ample time and conditions to create distance may face penalties.

Vehicles traveling on the Phap Van - Cau Gie expressway, 5/2026. *The Bang*.

According to Circular 38/2024, when the weather is dry, the road is flat, visibility is good, and there are no specific regulatory signs, the minimum safe distance is determined by the travel speed. Vehicles traveling at 60 km/h must maintain at least 35 m from the vehicle ahead; above 60 to 80 km/h, the distance is 55 m; above 80 to 100 km/h, it is 70 m; and above 100 to 120 km/h, it is 100 m.

When traveling below 60 km/h, drivers must actively maintain a distance appropriate to vehicle density and traffic conditions. In conditions of rain, fog, slippery roads, mountainous terrain, or limited visibility, the distance must be greater than the levels stated above or adhere to road signs.

"The safe distance regulation aims to create enough space and time for the trailing vehicle to react when the vehicle ahead encounters an unexpected situation, not to require drivers to maintain a fixed distance regardless of traffic fluctuations", a representative from the Traffic Police Department said.