“Heavy fines and cash rewards for reporting traffic violations spark discussions on road safety reforms in India.”
January 9, 2025: Vietnam has rolled out stringent traffic regulations aimed at curbing road violations, with a unique incentive: citizens can earn up to $200 (approximately ₹17,000) by reporting traffic offenders. This initiative, introduced on January 1, is part of Vietnam’s broader strategy to enhance road safety and enforce stricter discipline on its famously chaotic streets.
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\We should definitely introduce this for major traffic offenses like going the wrong way on a divided highway/street, and jumping red lights https://t.co/tTkpwoIXck
— Dr Arvind Virmani (Phd) (@dravirmani) January 5, 2025
The law allows informants to receive 10% of the fines collected from verified violations, capped at five million dong (₹17,000). The government ensures informants’ identities remain confidential to protect their privacy.
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Vietnam has introduced a system where you can earn a 10% reward for reporting traffic violations. If the person you report gets fined, you get a cut of the fine.
— Sneha Mordani (@snehamordani) January 7, 2025
Every single person in India will be a millionaire if this were to be implemented here!#Vietnam #Traffic… pic.twitter.com/NeaimYKIK4
Skyrocketing Fines
The penalties under Vietnam’s new rules are steep, particularly when compared to the average monthly income of eight million dong (₹27,000). Running a red light now costs motorbike riders six million dong (₹20,000), a sixfold increase from the previous fine. Car drivers face penalties of up to 20 million dong (₹70,000), while using a mobile phone while driving now carries doubled fines.
🚨 Vietnam just implemented snitch to earn for traffic violations. If you report someone for breaking traffic laws, you can earn a 10% bounty if they get fined.
— Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) January 7, 2025
We can earn more than an average IT professional if this gets implemented in India 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/bkTm5BOctD
Buzz in India
The Vietnamese model has sparked significant discussion online, even catching the attention of Indian netizens. Some users, including prominent economist and NITI Aayog member Arvind Virmani, have suggested India could adopt similar measures to address its own road safety challenges.
While the idea has drawn praise for its potential to improve compliance with traffic laws, it has also triggered lighthearted reactions. Many Indian netizens joked about the potential earnings from reporting violations in India, given the notorious state of traffic in the country.
The Road Ahead
Vietnam’s efforts have shone a spotlight on innovative solutions for combating reckless driving and poor enforcement of traffic rules. Although there is no indication of India adopting a similar law, the debate underscores the need for actionable reforms to improve road safety and reduce violations in the country.
