Under a new Government decree, drivers with alcohol levels exceeding 80mg per 100ml of blood or 0.4mg per liter of breath will be fined VND16-VND18 million, instead of VND10-15 million as previously.

Those who speed, swerve their vehicles recklessly or steer with their feet will incur a fine of VND7-8 million.

Violators who fail to obey a police order to stop, or those who cause traffic accidents, will face a fine of VND18-20 million.

The decree significantly increases the fines for “those who use umbrellas, earphones or mobile phones while riding motorbikes or electric bikes,” from the current VND60,000-80,000 to VND100,000-200,000.

Those who use hand-held phones when driving will be fined VND600,000-800,000 and have their driving licences revoked for one to three months.

Deputy Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee Khuat Viet Hung said the higher fines are directed at violations that are major causes of traffic accidents or threaten road safety.

“Decree No 46 deals with offences that the two previous decreess did not, such as using mobile phones when driving or driving on pavements or disturbing traffic at toll road booths and causing congestion with at least 100 vehicles queuing,” he said.

Under the decree, vehicles that run yellow traffic lights will receive a fine similar to one imposed for running red signals.