When can you run a red light without getting fined?

According to Decree 168/2024 of the Government, the fine for not obeying traffic lights (running red lights) has been increased. When violating, motorbike drivers will be fined from 4 to 6 million VND, cars from 18 to 20 million VND.

After the first days of implementation, in big cities, the vast majority of people strictly followed traffic regulations.

However, many people wonder whether they will be punished in situations of force majeure that force them to run a red light. Regarding this issue, a representative of the Traffic Police Department (Ministry of Public Security) said that there are some cases where people will not be punished for not obeying traffic light signals, including priority vehicles on duty that are not subject to punishment.

"The Law on Handling Administrative Violations stipulates that there will be no penalties for violations committed in urgent situations," explained a representative of the Traffic Police Department.

According to this person, according to current regulations, priority vehicles on duty include: Fire trucks of the Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police and fire trucks of other forces mobilized to perform firefighting duties; vehicles of the military, police and prosecutors on emergency duties. Convoys led by traffic police vehicles; ambulances on emergency duty; dyke protection vehicles on duty; vehicles on rescue, disaster relief, and epidemic response missions or vehicles on duty in emergency situations as prescribed by law; funeral processions.

Except for the funeral procession, the remaining priority vehicles are not subject to speed restrictions; they are allowed to travel regardless of traffic lights, enter the opposite lane, and are allowed to travel on other roads.

For highways, these vehicles are only allowed to go in the opposite direction on the emergency lane; must obey the commands of traffic controllers and temporary signs.

The Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety stipulates that traffic participants must comply with road signals in the following order of priority: First is the command of the traffic controller; second is the traffic light signal; third is the road sign; fourth is the road markings and other signs on the road surface...

When passing through an intersection, the police force will base on the actual situation and signal the traffic to move or stop. At this time, the driver is allowed to disobey the traffic light signal and will not be punished.

Recently, there have been reports of some traffic lights malfunctioning, suddenly changing color or changing color before the timer runs out, or not changing the color of the light after the timer runs out, leading to people unintentionally violating traffic laws.

A representative of the Traffic Police Department also confirmed that at intersections where there are problems, the police will not impose fines.

"People will not be wrongly fined by traffic police in these cases," said a representative of the Traffic Police Department.