In Vietnam, driver fined $500 for stopping car in expressway emergency lane to sleep

The violation occurred at around 3:25 pm on the same day while a patrol team from the Ministry of Public Security’s Traffic Police Department was inspecting the Phan Thiet–Vinh Hao Expressway.

Officers spotted a car parked in the emergency lane without its hazard warning lights activated and approached the vehicle to check on the driver.

The driver, identified as P.N.T., 29, from south-central Khanh Hoa Province, told officers that he pulled over because he was too sleepy and needed to rest.

Traffic police explained that vehicles are only permitted to stop in emergency lanes on expressways in emergency situations such as technical failures, traffic accidents, or other urgent circumstances that prevent drivers from continuing their journey.

Drivers forced to stop in such cases must activate hazard warning lights to alert other motorists.

Officers said the driver’s explanation that he felt sleepy did not qualify as an emergency.

They also noted that the spot where he stopped was about two kilometers from a rest stop.

After being informed of the violation, the driver admitted his mistake and promised not to repeat it.

He said he would ensure he was well-rested before entering expressways and would stop in designated rest areas.

Traffic police later made a record of the driver’s violation for failing to activate hazard lights when stopping in the emergency lane on an expressway, which carries a fine of VND13 million (nearly $500) and a deduction of four points from the driver’s license.

Authorities said drivers stopping or parking improperly in the emergency lane of the Phan Thiet–Vinh Hao Expressway still occurs and poses serious safety risks, particularly at night when visibility is limited.

Traffic police urged motorists not to stop or park on expressways outside designated areas, encroach on traffic lanes when stopping at emergency stopping points, or stop in the emergency lane without activating hazard warning lights.