Ho Chi Minh City traffic police warn jaywalkers after 2 fatal accidents

The warning was issued by the Ban Co traffic police team under the municipal Traffic Police Division on Friday.

According to police, several recent traffic accidents were caused by pedestrians crossing roads improperly.

On August 16, an accident on Ly Thuong Kiet Street in Minh Phung Ward killed one person and injured another.

Another accident on Su Van Hanh Street in Hoa Hung Ward on October 22 also involved a jaywalker and left one person dead.

Traffic police have also raised concerns about unsafe crossing practices outside Children's Hospital 1 on Ly Thai To Street, where many pedestrians continue to cross outside designated crosswalks.

Some have even been seen climbing over road medians despite a legal crossing point being located less than 20 meters away.

Traffic police stressed that crossing roads at unauthorized locations not only puts pedestrians at risk but can also create dangerous situations for drivers.

Drivers may be forced to brake suddenly or swerve to avoid collisions, increasing the risk of chain-reaction crashes involving multiple vehicles.

Even a moment of carelessness when crossing a road can have serious consequences, the traffic police warned.

Police emphasized that pedestrians, particularly on busy roads, should not risk their safety merely to save a few extra meters of walking.

The Ban Co traffic police team will work with local police to step up public awareness campaigns in residential areas.

It will also coordinate with road management agencies to review locations with heavy pedestrian traffic and propose additional crosswalk markings and appropriate speed-reduction road markings.

Authorities will simultaneously strengthen inspections and take action against violations.

Penalties and safety recommendations

Under Vietnam's Government Decree 168/2024, pedestrians who cross roads outside designated areas or climb over median barriers may face fines ranging from VND150,000 (US$6) to VND250,000 ($10).

If a pedestrian's violation results in serious consequences and meets the legal threshold for criminal liability, the individual could face criminal prosecution.

To stay safe, pedestrians should use designated crosswalks, pedestrian bridges or underpasses whenever available.

They should obey traffic signals and carefully check traffic from all directions before crossing.

Where traffic lights are not installed, pedestrians should give the required hand signal and cross only when it is safe to do so.

Police also advised pedestrians never to climb over median barriers or use mobile phones or wear headphones in ways that distract them while crossing roads.