Heavy fines for traffic violators in Thu Thiem Tunnel

Thu Thiem Tunnel has attracted a huge number of vehicles ever since it opened for traffic on November 20, some of which have already had to pay heavy penalties for violating traffic regulations set by tunnel authorities.

According to traffic rules set by tunnel authorities, penalties for traffic offenders in the tunnel are very high as compared to other road traffic fines in the city.

For instance, cars with headlights off or trying to overtake another vehicle may amount to a fine of up to VND2 million, unlike the normal VND700,000 fine on roads in the city.

Motorcyclists forgetting to turn on headlights or stopping at no-parking areas in the tunnel will be fined VND750,000, whereas it is only VND90,000 for the same violation on city streets. To make regulations even stricter, violators stand to lose their driving license for a period of one month.

Lieutenant colonel Nguyen Ngoc Loan, Head of the Ben Thanh Traffic Police Division in charge of supervising traffic and penalizing violators in the tunnel, has so far already reported 32 cases of traffic violations, main offenders being people forgetting to switch on their headlights inside the tunnel or taking a wrong U-turn in front of the tunnel.

Police officials are also tasked to keep watch of the traffic and inform officials at both ends of the tunnel with walkie-talkies. Strict penalties are imposed on violators screaming and hooting in the tunnel.

Ho Chi Minh City Police said that traffic violation cases in the tunnel will be fined on the spot, to warn people of the strict rules and raise awareness of protocol within the tunnel.