A motorbike mounts the sidewalk to avoid traffic waiting at a red light on Hai Ba Trung Street in Tan Dinh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Photo: Thanh Hiep

Editor’s note: Loc’s opinion was translated from Vietnamese and edited by Tuoi Tre News for clarity and coherence.

Many support fines coupled with community service as a way to prevent repeat traffic violations. 

However, for this measure to have a meaningful impact, several conditions must be met.

Community service paired with traffic safety education

Vietnam’s current Law on Handling Administrative Violations does not specifically address community service for traffic offenses. 

The law should be amended to include this form of penalty, specifying its scope, duration, and the authorities responsible for organizing and supervising it.

A structured and professional system of organization and oversight is also essential. 

Community service requires strict management: tasks should be clearly assigned, performance closely monitored, and completion verified to ensure offenders fulfill their obligations.

Fairness and transparency are critical. 

This can be achieved by publicly listing offenders assigned to community service, along with the location and schedule, while encouraging community and media oversight.

Community service should not be limited to punishment alone. 

Experiences from other countries show that offenders benefit from short courses on traffic safety and civic responsibility before carrying out service duties. 

Adopting a similar model in Vietnam, coordinated across relevant agencies and adapted to local conditions, could help offenders understand why their behavior was wrong and equip them with the knowledge to avoid repeating it.

Where to pilot the program

The effectiveness of community service is enhanced when it is linked to broader urban traffic development strategies. 

Assigning offenders to tasks such as cleaning sidewalks, planting trees, or maintaining traffic signs allows them to contribute positively to the public environment while fulfilling their obligations. 

This approach reinforces a sense of community responsibility rather than purely punitive enforcement.

However, community service is not a universal solution. 

Poorly-managed programs may fail to achieve meaningful results. 

Resource requirements—personnel, equipment, and operating costs for supervision—must also be considered.

Effective public communication campaigns are crucial to explain the educational and social reintegration goals of this penalty. 

Pilots could focus on common offenses such as running red lights or driving against traffic in high-density areas. 

Lessons learned from these trials can inform broader implementation, ensuring proper organization, monitoring, and evaluation.

A broader perspective

Proposals to incorporate community service into traffic enforcement are not merely technical. 

The character of a modern city is measured not just by infrastructure or technology, but by public behavior. 

When pedestrians are respected, sidewalks remain unobstructed, and traffic signals are observed, society demonstrates true civility.

Well-designed community service programs, backed by a clear legal framework, transparent supervision, and integrated education, can transform enforcement into learning. 

Instead of relying solely on harsh penalties, such programs offer experiences that help citizens understand the broader impact of their actions on urban life and community well-being.