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Traffic norms and sanctions in Vietnam, in the UK and in the USA – similarities and

differences

Student : Đinh Thị Nga

Class : Anh K11

Cross- Culture studies & Institutions ( UK- USA- Australia)

Mr Nguyễn Quang Vịnh

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<i><b>Traffic norms and sanctions in Vietnam, in the UK and in the USA – similarities and</b></i>

<i><b>differences</b></i>

All societies have ways of encouraging and enforcing what they view as appropriate

behaviors while is couraging and punishingwhat they consider to be improper behavior. Norms

are the established standards of behavior maintained by a society.

Sanctions are penalties and rewards for conduct concering a social norm. Conformity to a

norm can lead to positive sanctions behavior. Sometimes they even appear to be inconsistent.

Traffic is formally organized in many jurisdictions, with marked lanes, junctions, intersections,

interchanges, traffic signals, or signs. Traffic is often classified by type: heavy motor vehicle

(e.g., car, truck); other vehicle (e.g., moped, bicycle); and pedestrian. Different classes may share

speed limits and easement, or may be segregated. Some jurisdictions may have very detailed and

complex rules of the road while others rely more on drivers' common sense and willingness to

cooperate.

There are some similarities and differences in traffic norms and sanctions in Vietnam, in the UK

and in the USA .The first things I want to mention is that the similarities among them.

<b>1.Before driving</b>

Before you learn to drive or ride a new vehicle make sure you know about the rules and

restrictions that apply to you.

<b>2.Minimum driving age</b>

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<b>driver's license</b>

Before you start to drive, you must hold a valid, provisional driving licence and make sure that

any vehicle you drive is roadworthy and properly taxed and insured .

<b>3</b>

.

<b>Maximum speed limits </b>

The higher the speed of a vehicle , the more difficult collision avoidance becomes and the greater

the damage if a collision does occur. There fore all three countries and many other countries in

the world li mit the maximum speed allowed on their roards. Vehicles are not supposed to be

driven at speeds which are higher than the posted maximum. Drivers are required to drive at a

safe speed for conditions. In the United States this requirement is referred to as the basic rule, but

more generally in Britain and elsewhere in common law as the reasonable man requirement.

<b>4.Seat belts are required</b>

Lower speed may be required due to fog, heavy rain, freezing conditions or where they are not

able to stop in the line of sight.

The drivers and front passengers have to wear seat belts when they are driving.

It’s estimated

that seat belts would prevent 75 per cent of the deaths and 90 per cent of the injuries to those

involved in accidents

<b>5.Traffic Light Colours</b>

The most common traffic light which is used consists of three bulbs with a different coloured

lense in each

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When the RED and AMBER lights are shown at the same time then you should bring your

vehicle to a complete halt. Make sure your vehicle is behind the stop line and wait for further

instructions from the traffic light system.

Next is the turn of the GREEN light and this means that you may proceed with your journey but

only if the road ahead is clear. But if you are turning on to another street, whether that be right or

left you should be wary that pedestrians may be crossing and that special care is needed.

When AMBER is lit up alone it also means, “Stop” at the stop line. The AMBER light is next in

the sequence and when it appears you should bring your vehicle to a complete halt at the stop

line. However if you break the stop line or cannot get stopped in time and in a safe manner then

it is best to continue with your journey.

Finally, A GREEN ARROW may be provided in addition to the full green signal and notifies the

drivers to move to the left or to the right. If the way is clear then you may go but only in the

direction shown by the arrow.

The dirver who are drunk are not alowed to driver.

The person who ride on the motorbike or sit in the motorbike have to weal helmet.

Most states
require motorcyclists to wear helmets.

Beside the similarities, each country thas their oun ruler. Here are the diferrences.

In many countries, the rules of the road are codified, setting out the legal requirements and

punishments for breaking them.

In the United Kingdom, the rules are set out in the Highway Code, which includes obligations

but also advice on how to drive sensibly and safely.

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but there are variations from state to state. In states such as Florida, traffic law and criminal law

are separate, therefore, unless someone flees a scene of an accident, commits vehicular homicide

or manslaughter, they are only guilty of a minor traffic offense. However, states such as South

Carolina have completely criminalized their traffic law, so, for example, you are guilty of a

misdemeanor simply for travelling 5 miles over the speed limit.

<b>Driving under the influence of drugs</b>

The key inquiry focuses on whether the driver's faculties were impaired by the substance that

was consumed. The detection and successful prosecution of drivers impaired by prescription

medication or illegal drugs can therefore be difficult. Breathalyzers have been developed for the

purpose of administering roadside or laboratory tests that can detect the actual level of a

controlled substance in an individual's body.



Among the many strange habits of the British is that of driving on

the left-hand side of the road. If you’re used to driving on the right it

may be helpful to have a reminder (e.g. ‘think left!’) on your car’s

dashboard. Take extra care when pulling out of junctions, one-way

streets and at roundabouts. Remember to look first to the right when

crossing the road and drivers of left-hand cars should make sure that

headlights are dipped to the left when driving at night.



If you’re unused to driving on the left, you should be prepared for

some disorientation, although most people have few problems

adjusting to it. Some drivers have a real fear of driving on the ‘wrong’

side of the road. If this applies to you, the International Drivers

Service (020-8570 9190) specialises in teaching foreigners how to

survive on British roads. The traffic system, density and speed of

traffic are all also completely alien to many foreigners, particularly

Americans.



All motorists are advised to carry a warning triangle, although it isn’t

mandatory. If you have an accident or a breakdown, you should signal

this by switching on your hazard warning lights. If you have a warning

triangle, it must be placed at the edge of the road, at least 50m

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on road or a triangular give way sign (dotted white line on road),

where a secondary road meets a major road. ‘Stop’ or ‘give way’ may

also be painted on the road surface. You must stop completely at a

stop sign (all four wheels must come to rest), before pulling out on to

a major road, even if you can see that no traffic is approaching. At a

give way sign, you aren’t required to stop, but must give priority to

traffic already on the major road.



The different types of traffic signs can usually be distinguished by

their shape and colour as follows: a) Warning signs are mostly

triangular with red borders; b) Signs within circles with a red border

are mostly prohibitive; c) Signs within blue circles, but no red border

give positive instructions; d) Direction signs are mostly rectangular

and are distinguished by their background colour; blue for motorway

signs, green for primary routes and white for secondary routes. Local

direction signs often have blue borders with a white background. Signs

with brown backgrounds are used to direct motorists

to tourist attractions.
All signs are shown in a booklet entitled <i>Know Your Traffic Signs</i> (see below).



On roundabouts (traffic circles), vehicles already on the roundabout (coming from your

right) have priority over those entering it. There are many roundabouts in the UK, which,
although they’re a bit of a free-for-all, speed up traffic considerably and are usually preferable
to traffic lights, particularly outside rush hours (although some busy roundabouts also have
traffic lights). Some roundabouts have a filter lane, reserved for traffic turning left. Traffic
flows clockwise round roundabouts and not anti-clockwise as in countries where traffic drives
on the right. You should signal as you approach the exit you wish to take. In addition to large
roundabouts, there are also mini-roundabouts, indicated by a round blue sign. Roundabouts
are particularly useful for making a U-turn when you discover that you’re travelling in the
wrong direction.



On country roads, sharp bends are shown by signs and the severity (tightness) of a bend is

indicated by white arrows on a black background (or vice versa); the more arrows, the tighter
the bend (so slow down).



for ensuring children under 14 use the correct seat belts or child restraints. Seat belts or

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upwards. They are designed to raise them so they can use an adult seat belt safely across
both their chest and lower abdomen.



Special harnesses and belts are also available for the disabled. All belts, seats, harnesses

and restraints must be correctly fitted and adjusted, without which they may be useless. Some
child car seats have fatal flaws and many cars have seat belt straps that are too short for
rear-facing baby seats. It’s estimated that some two-thirds of child seats are wrongly fitted.

The RAC (08705-722 722) has a safety video entitled <i>There’s No Excuse!</i> If all available
restraints in a car are in use, children may travel unrestrained (although this is extremely
unwise).



It’s estimated that seat belts would prevent 75 per cent of the deaths and 90 per cent of

the injuries to those involved in accidents. Lap belts fitted in the centre rear seat of many cars
are dangerous and should be replaced. In addition to the risk of death or injury, you can be
fined £50 for ignoring the seat belt laws. It’s the driver’s responsibility to ensure that
passengers are properly fastened. If you’re exempt from wearing a seat belt for medical
reasons, a safety belt exemption certificate is required from your doctor. The ultimate
protection is supposed to be afforded by airbags, although a number of deaths have been
blamed on them in recent years.



Don’t drive in lanes reserved for buses and taxis, unless necessary to avoid a stationary

vehicle or obstruction, and give priority to authorised users. Bus lanes are indicated by road
markings and signs indicate the period of operation, which is usually during rush hours only
(although some lanes are in use 24 hours a day), and which vehicles are permitted to use
them. Bus drivers get irate if you illegally drive in their lane and you can be fined for doing so.



Headlights must be used at night on all roads except unrestricted roads with street lamps

not more than 185m (200 yards) apart and subject to a speed limit of 30mph. You must use
your headlamps or front fog lamps at any time when visibility is generally reduced to less than
100m. It’s legal to drive on parking (side) lights on roads with street lighting (although they
do little to help you see or be seen). Headlight flashing has a different meaning in different
countries. In some, it means “after you”, while in others it means “get out of my way”. In the
UK, headlamp flashing has no legal status apart from warning another driver of your presence,
although it’s usually used to give priority to another vehicle, e.g. when a car is waiting to exit

from a junction. Hazard warning lights (all indicators operating simultaneously) are used to
warn other drivers of an obstruction, e.g. an accident or a traffic jam on a motorway (using
them when parking illegally has no legal significance unless you’ve broken down).



Front fog or spot lights must be fitted in pairs at a regulation height. Rear fog lamps should

be used only when visibility is seriously reduced, i.e. to less than 100m, and shouldn’t be used
when it’s just dark or raining. Unfortunately, many British drivers don’t know what fog lamps
are for and use them when visibility is good, but don’t use them (or any lights) in fog.



The sequence of traffic lights is red, red + amber (yellow), green, amber and back to red.

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priority. Signals stay at green for a minimum of seven seconds, although it can be as long as
one minute.



At many traffic lights, cameras are installed to detect motorists driving through red lights

(you receive notification around one month later and must prove that you weren’t driving to
avoid prosecution). Traffic lights are placed on the left side of the road at junctions and may
also be duplicated opposite.



Always approach pedestrian crossings with caution and don’t park or overtake another

vehicle on the approach to a crossing, marked by a double line of studs or zigzag lines. At
pelican (pedestrian) crossings, a flashing amber light follows the red light, to warn you to give
way to pedestrians before proceeding. Pedestrians have the legal right of way once they’ve
stepped on to a crossing without traffic lights and you must stop. Motorists who don’t stop are
liable to heavy penalties. Where a road crosses a public footpath, e.g. when entering or
emerging from property or a car park bordering a road, you must give way to pedestrians.



The UK lacks a rule of the road which compels slow-moving vehicles (such as tractors or

cars towing caravans) to pull over to allow other traffic to overtake. The AA states that a
driver towing a caravan who sees more than six vehicles following him, should pull over and
let them pass, but it isn’t compulsory. Worse still, timid drivers who never overtake anything
unless it’s stationary, bunch up behind slow moving vehicles, thus ensuring that nobody can
overtake without having to pass a whole stream of traffic (or forcing a gap).



Fines can be exacted for a wide range of motoring offences, although on-the-spot fines

aren’t imposed. Convictions for most motoring offences means an ‘endorsement’ of your
licence, which results in penalty points being imposed. Serious offences, such as dangerous or
drunken driving involving injury or death to others, can result in a prison sentence.



Many motorists seem to have an aversion to driving in the left-hand lane on a three-lane

motorway, which in effect reduces the motorway to two lanes. It’s illegal to overtake on an
inside lane unless traffic is being channelled in a different direction. Motorists must indicate
before overtaking and when moving back into an inside lane after overtaking, e.g. on a dual
carriageway or motorway. Learner drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and mopeds aren’t permitted
on motorways.



White lines mark the separation of traffic lanes. A solid single line or two solid lines means

no overtaking in either direction. A solid line to the left of the centre line, i.e. on your side of
the road, means that overtaking is prohibited in your direction. You may overtake only when
there’s a single broken line in the middle of the road or double lines with a broken line on your
side of the road. If you drive a left-hand drive car, take extra care when overtaking (the most
dangerous manoeuvre in motoring) and when turning right. It’s wise to have a special

overtaking mirror fitted to your car.



The edges of motorways and A-roads are often marked with a white line with a ribbed

surface, which warns you through tyre sound and vibration when you drive too close to the
edge of the road.



In the UK, there are three main kinds of automatic railway crossings: automatic half-barrier

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(if applicable) or the gates start to close; c)In any case when a train approaches. Many
automatic and manual crossings have a telephone to contact the signalman in an emergency
or to ask for advice or information. In remote areas, open level crossings have no gates,
barriers, attendant or traffic lights. Some level crossings have gates, but no attendant or red
lights. If there’s a telephone, contact the signalman to check that it’s okay to cross; otherwise,
provided a train isn’t coming, open the gates wide and cross as quickly as possible. Close the
gates after crossing. Crossings without gates must be approached with extreme caution
(including pedestrian railway crossings).



Be particularly wary of cyclists, moped riders and motorcyclists. It isn’t always easy to see

them, particularly when they’re hidden by your car’s blind spots or when cyclists are riding at
night without lights. When overtaking, always

give them a wide berth. If you knock them off their bikes, you may have a difficult time
convincing the police that it wasn’t your fault; far better to avoid them (and the police). Drive
slowly near schools and be wary of children getting on or off buses.



A ‘GB’ nationality plate (sticker) must be affixed to the rear of a British- registered car when

motoring abroad. Drivers of foreign-registered cars in the UK must have the appropriate

nationality plate affixed to the rear of their car (not an assortment). Yellow headlights, which
in the past were fitted to all vehicles in France, are illegal in the UK (except for visitors) and
should be converted.



If you need spectacles or contact lenses to read a number plate 79.4mm high at a distance

of 20.5m (67ft) in good daylight, then you must always wear them when motoring. It’s
advisable to carry a spare pair of glasses or contact lenses in your car.

A new law was introduced on 1st December 2003 prohibiting the use of mobile phones while driving
(or even stationary with the engine running), unless it’s a hands-free phone in a cradle (using
headphones and a microphone is legal, provided the phone is in a cradle). Using a phone when driving

is one of the most common and hazardous driving habits in the UK and has been calculated to
increase the risk of an accident by some 400 per cent (even hands-free phones are considered to be

unsafe, as they distract the driver’s attention). New legislation to increase the penalty for using a
hand-held phone whilst driving came into force in February 2007. The fine increased to £60 and three

penalty points on your licence. Penalty points can mean higher insurance costs. If you get six points
within two years of passing your test, your licence will be revoked and you will need to re-sit the test.

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Traffice regulation is state/territorial jurisdiction in the United States. All states and territories - except the U.S.

Virgin Islands - drive on the right, in LHD (left-hand-drive) vehicles. On four or more laned highways, the law is to

drive on the right, but for passing or faster driving vehicles, you can drive in the left lane. if emergency vehicles are

driving in the left, you must pull back over to the right or the shoulder of the road.



for ensuring children under 14 use the correct seat belts or child restraints. Seat belts or

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car with a seat belt. c) Booster seats and booster cushions are for children weighing 33 to

80lb (15 to 36 kg), aged around 4 years and upwards. They are designed to raise them so

they can use an adult seat belt safely across both their chest and lower abdomen.



White lines mark the separation of traffic lanes. A solid single line or two solid lines

means no overtaking in either direction. A solid line to the left of the centre line, i.e. on

your side of the road, means that overtaking is prohibited in your direction. You may

overtake only when there’s a single broken line in the middle of the road or double lines

with a broken line on your side of the road. If you drive a left-hand drive car, take extra

care when overtaking (the most dangerous manoeuvre in motoring) and when turning

right. It’s wise to have a special overtaking mirror fitted to your car.

The edges of motorways and A-roads are often marked with a white line with a ribbed surface,

which warns you through tyre sound and vibration when you drive too close to the edge of the

road

The limits are often expressed separated by slashes in the following form: "bodily injury

per person"/"bodily injury per accident"/"property damage". For one example, California

requires minimum coverage as follows:

[23]



$15,000 for injury/death to one person.

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This would be expressed as "$15,000/$30,000/$5,000"

In the United States, auto insurance covering liability for injuries and property damage done to

others is compulsory in most states, though different states enforce the requirement differently.

The state of New Hampshire, for example, does not require motorists to carry liability insurance

(the ballpark model), while in Virginia residents must pay the state a $500 annual fee per vehicle

if they choose not to buy liability insurance.

[11]

_{Penalties for not purchasing auto insurance vary}

by state, but often involve a substantial fine, license and/or registration suspension or revocation,

as well as possible jail time. Usually, the minimum required by law is third party insurance to

protect third parties against the financial consequences of loss, damage or injury caused by a

vehicle

In 1930, the UK government introduced a law that required every person who used a vehicle on

the road to have at least third party personal injury insurance. Today UK law is defined by the

Road Traffic Act 1988, which was last modified in 1991. The Act requires that motorists either

be insured, have a security, or have made a specified deposit (£500,000 as of 1991) with the

Accountant General of the Supreme Court, against their liability for injuries to others (including

passengers) and for damage to other persons' property resulting from use of a vehicle on a public

road or in other public places.

It is an offence to drive a car, or allow others to drive it, without the insurance that satisfies the

act whilst on the public highway (or public place Section 143(1)(a) RTA 1988 as amended

1991); however, no such legislation applies on private land.

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example

<i>Road Traffic Act Only Insurance</i>

has a limit of £1,000,000 for damage to third party

property - third party only insurance typically has a greater limit for third party property damage.

<b>Minimum age you can take a test</b>

You can take your theory test once your provisional licence becomes valid.

Normally, for car drivers, the earliest date your provisional licence can become valid is your 17th

birthday. You can apply for the licence up to three months before your 17th birthday

however, you will still have to wait until your birthday before you can take your theory test.

For more information about applying for a provisional licence, please click on the link below.



Applying for a provisional driving licence

<b>Disability living allowance</b>

If you are receiving disability living allowance at the higher rate your provisional licence will

come into effect when you are 16, but you can apply for it within three months of your 16th

birthday.

Người lái xe đang điều khiển xe trên đường mà trong máu có nồng độ cồn vượt quá 80

miligam/100 mililít máu hoặc 40 miligam/1lít khí thở hoặc có các chất kích thích khác mà

pháp luật cấm sử dụng.

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Results from lowering speed limits.

[n 3]

<b>Country</b>

<b>Speed limit reduction</b>

<b>Reported change</b>

UK

₁₀₀

_{km/h to 80}

_km/h

Speeds declined by 4

km/h

Crashes declined by 14%

USA (22 states) 8–32

km/h decreases

No significant changes

USA (Montana) Unlimited to 120

km/h Statewide fatality rates doubled

Results from increasing speed limits:

[n 3]

<b>Country</b>

<b>Speed limit</b>

<b>_increase</b>

<b>Reported change</b>

USA

89

km/h to

105

km/h

Fatal crashes increased by 21%

USA

89

km/h to

105

km/h

Fatal crashes increased by 22%

Speeding increased by 48%

USA (40

states)

89

₁₀₅

km/h to

_km/h

Fatalities increased by 15%

Decrease or no effect in 12 States

USA

(Michigan)

89

₁₀₅

km/h to

_km/h

Speed limit increased in December 1987 and January

1988. Times series analyses conducted on data from

1978 through 1988 revealed 19.2% increase in

fatalities on 65-mph roads. Fatalities increased 38.4%

on 55 mph limited access freeways, with the authors

suggesting that the 65 mph limit may have spillover

effects on segments of freeways where the limit was

not changed.

[37]

USA (New

Jersey)

89

₁₀₅

km/h to

_km/h

"Actual travel speeds increased on average only 1

mile-per-hour...Fatal accidents changed minimally over

a similar 36-month period prior to the study

period...reported number of accidents rose in the 65

mph zones by 27 percent, but the NJDOT did not find

that the increase in accidents was directly caused by

the increase in the speed limit. A similar increase was

found in the comparable 55 mph zones where reported

accidents increased 30 percent...the NJDOT is

recommending that the speed limit be raised to 65 mph

on an additional 124 miles of highway"

[3]

USA (Ohio)

89

km/h to

105

km/h

Injury and property damage increased but not fatalities

after the increase in 1987.

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USA

(Indiana)

105

₁₁₀

_km/h

km/h to

"the increased speed limit (in 2005

[39]

_{)did not affect}

the probability of suffering a severe injury in an

accident"

[40]

USA (Utah) 125

km/h to

130

km/h

"accidents and illegal speeding haven't increased"

[41]

USA (40

states)

89

₁₀₅

km/h to

_km/h

Statewide fatality rates decreased 3-5% (Significant in

14 of 40 states)

USA

(Montana)

105

km/h to

Reasonable

and Prudent

Statewide fatality rates decreased 10%

<i>Top Photo Credit: © USATourist.com</i>

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