For my first road trip in Australia, I rented an MG and drove 1,000km from Sydney to Brisbane in about 10 hours, including stops for gas, coffee and lunch.
I have also taken many road trips in the United States and Canada, where most drivers maintain an appropriate speed on the road and do not block traffic.
During these trips, I realized that when drivers follow the regulations, they not only ensure road safety, but also driving comfort for everyone on the road.
One of the most important rules is that slow drivers should stay in the right lane. This is an axiom learned by heart by drivers in most countries that follow American traffic standards, especially in Asia and Europe.
This is the left-hand path for countries like Australia and Thailand who follow British standards.
On German autobahns, even super cars traveling at 300 km/h always stay on the right side of the road, leaving the left lanes empty for drivers who want to overtake them. Drivers who occupy the left side and prevent others from overtaking are fined.
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Vehicles on the La Son – Tuy Loan highway in central Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong |
I don’t think this rule is strictly followed in Vietnam and drivers should be reminded more effectively.
In other countries, I have seen signs saying “Slower traffic, keep right,” “Slower traffic, keep left,” or “Left lane for overtaking only” placed along highways.
I have never seen these signs in Vietnam, although the traffic law states that those who block others by driving slowly will be fined 400,000 to 600,000 VND ($16.40 to $24.60) .
Many drivers in Vietnam do not realize how much they disturb other drivers. You can drive as slowly as you like, within the minimum speed limit of course, but please move to the right to give others space.
Slow drivers occupying all lanes make Vietnam’s highways dangerous and inefficient.
Although Vietnam’s infrastructure is still incomplete, raising driver awareness will help improve safety and travel experience, especially on busy roads during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday.
*Anh Nguyen is a businessman.
