Making roads safer for pedestrians in Vietnam

On Dec. 7, 2006, Seymour Papert, a renowned mathematician from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the U.S., was involved in a severe accident while crossing a street in Hanoi.

Uri Wilensky, a computer science professor at Northwestern University, also in the U.S., who was crossing the road with Papert, recalled that the accident happened as they discussed plans to create a mathematical model of Hanoi's chaotic traffic.

They were navigating a crowded intersection without traffic lights, dodging incoming motorbikes, when a rider sped toward them and struck Papert.

Papert fell into a coma for weeks and suffered severe aftereffects. He passed away in 2016 after battling health complications for a decade.

His tragic accident was a significant loss to academia and underscored a glaring issue in Vietnam's traffic culture: the lack of pedestrian safety.

Two people cross a street in HCMC, Vietnam. Photo by Pexels

Drivers often ignore pedestrians, failing to yield the right of way even when required by law. Many do not view yielding as a legal responsibility but rather as an optional gesture.

Vietnam's Decree 168, which sharply raises fines for traffic violations, signals a serious effort to tackle the issue.

Motorbike riders now face penalties of VND1-2 million (US$40-80) if they fail to give way to pedestrians, while car drivers must pay VND4-6 million (US$159-239).

Resistance to traffic reform is not new in Vietnam.

A decade ago the mandatory helmet law faced strong public opposition, with many complaining about the discomfort and inconvenience of wearing helmets, especially for short trips.

However, the government persisted with strict penalties for non-compliance.

Within a year helmet use among motorbike riders surged from 30% to over 90%, reducing traffic fatalities and brain injuries by 25-30%. The policy not only saved lives but also changed public attitudes toward road safety.

Similarly, Decree 100, introduced in 2019, imposed heavy fines for drunk driving, sparking a backlash from the public.

Drivers faced fines of VND30-40 million ($1,193-1,591) and a revocation of their license if caught driving under the influence.

The initial resistance notwithstanding, alcohol-related accidents dropped by 12% within a year, fatalities by 8% and injuries by 14%.

Such policies may encounter resistance initially, but are crucial for changing societal behavior.

Decree 168 aims to achieve similar outcomes. Its stricter fines serve as deterrents while fostering a more respectful and disciplined traffic culture.

But penalties alone cannot bring about lasting change. Public education, awareness campaigns and improved infrastructure are also essential to support the transition.

Providing clear explanations about the regulations can help people adopt safer practices naturally, not merely out of fear of fines. Investments in pedestrian crossings, overpasses, and underpasses are equally critical to ensure safer mobility.

Transforming traffic habits is a long-term process that requires persistence. History shows that firm and consistent enforcement, combined with transparency, is the key to success.

Tragedies like Papert’s accident highlight the devastating impact of neglecting pedestrian safety and the harm it can cause to a nation’s reputation.

Decree 168 is more than a list of fines; it represents a bold commitment to building a safer, more modern and civilized traffic culture, even in the face of initial resistance.

*Dinh Hong Ky is the vice chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association and vice chairman of the Vietnam Association for Building Materials.