Review of Safe Following Distances
On 11 September, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc met with the Ministries of Construction, Public Security and other agencies to review Vietnam's regulations on safe following distances on highways. The review, prompted by continuing concerns over traffic accidents, confirmed that existing distance rules already have a legal basis and align with international standards and the country's treaty commitments. However, officials stressed the need to make the rules easier to recognise and apply under varied traffic, weather and road‑condition scenarios.
Drafting Proposals for Violations
The Ministry of Construction, represented by Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan, will work with Public Security to draft proposals for handling violations, especially tailgating, and to consider exemptions for situations such as lane changes, congestion or forced deceleration. The government office announced that the current enforcement framework lacks clear legal corridors, public communication and implementation structures.
Key Immediate Action: Rapid Signage Installation
A key immediate action is the rapid installation of signage on highway sections where distance‑violation penalties will apply, ensuring drivers are aware of the requirement. The ministries will also revise technical standards to tie safe distances to speed, road type, traffic density, terrain and weather. Public Security is tasked with integrating distance‑maintenance scenarios into driver‑licence training curricula.
Enforcement and Transparency
Enforcement must rely on clear evidence—signage, road markings and monitoring systems—to guarantee transparency and avoid "mechanical" penalties that ignore real‑world conditions. Authorities also discussed designating lane functions, such as reserving the left lane for overtaking or high‑speed vehicles, to reduce close‑following incidents. All measures are to be rolled out with public awareness campaigns and coordinated so that penalty procedures do not cause congestion, particularly during peak holiday periods.