Vietnamese authorities have issued a new circular that promulgates the duties, powers, and content of the patrol and inspection of traffic police in the country.

The Circular 01/2016/TT-BCA, issued by the Ministry of Public Security, will take effect on February 15.

According to the new regulations, traffic police will be authorized to pull vehicles over in the following circumstances:

- Officers or specialized devices and equipment detect acts that violate traffic law.

- Officers are following orders from the head of the Traffic Police Department or chiefs of provincial bureaus of police.

- Officers are following the schedule of patrol and inspection planned by the head of traffic police divisions at the district level and above.

- Officers are given documents issued by the heads or deputy heads of investigation authorities, or those of competent authorities, that allow traffic stops in order to ensure security and order and to fight against certain crimes.

The documents must state specific times and the routes and types of vehicles that traffic police can inspect.

- Officers conduct a vehicle search based on reports of traffic offenses which individuals are responsible for.   

The new circular also stipulates the authority of traffic police, stated as follows:

- Officers are authorized to deal with administrative violations of road traffic regulations, social security, order, and safety.

- Officers are able to pull over vehicles to examine legitimate documents related to the vehicles and conduct body searches and ID inspections on the vehicle’s operator, as per law.

- Officers can temporarily confiscate driver’s licenses, registration certificates, and other documents relevant to the vehicles, the drivers, and passengers if the individuals violate traffic laws.

- Traffic police can require individuals and organizations to cooperate and provide their assistance in solving traffic accidents, congestion, or other problems that affect traffic order and safety.

- Officers are given the right to commandeer from civilians any means of transportation, communication, and other technical equipment for certain purposes in accordance with the law.

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