The National Traffic Safety Committee plans to sell motorbikes and bicycles driving on expressways that have been banned for their use.

The decree already sets out the fines for drivers of motorbikes and bicycles entering highways which have signs banning their access. — Photo vov

Under the plan, confiscated bikes would be auctioned and the money given to the poor.

Safety Committee vice-chairman Khuat Viet Hung told the online newspaper Vnexpress that the new regulation would be an upgrade of Government Decree 171. This is aimed at stopping motorbikes and bicycles illegally entering expressways.

The decree already sets out the fines for drivers of motorbikes and bicycles entering highways which have signs banning their access.

Drivers can be fined between VND200,000 and VND400,000 (US$ 9 - $18). If they cause a traffic accident, they can also lose their driving licences for two months.

Hung said that during the nine-day public holiday for Tet (Lunar New Year) from February 15 to February 24, more than 7,000 motorbikes were detained throughout Viet Nam because they broke the rule.

He added that motorbikes were the main cause of serious traffic accidents throughout Vietnam.

This New Year, Vnexpress reported that on several expressways, including Thang Long Boulevard (also called Lang-Hoa Lac), National Highway 1A, Phap Van-Cau Gie and even the newly opened Noi Bai-Lao Cai, despite prohibitory signs, motorcyclists were still illegally driving.

They also reported that when they saw traffic police, the drivers would either make a quick U-turn and speed off.