A woman residing in northern Vietnam has recently been at the height of online controversy for breaching traffic laws 26 times in a single month, and being fined VND20 million (US$800) as a result.

In an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) Newspaper, 41-year-old N.T.T., residing in Thang Town, Hiep Hoa District, Bac Giang Province, acknowledged her offenses.

She explained that her negligence stemmed from driving only short distances on her motorcycle.

However, she also voiced her frustration, stating that her personal information had been leaked online, making her a target for unwarranted harassment.

Speckles of truth behind online rumors

According to the Hiep Hoa District police bureau, the case began with a routine review of traffic monitoring cameras, during which a motorcycle registered under T. was identified with 26 instances of traffic violations between February 1 and 29.

Out of these 26 violations, ten were related to not wearing a helmet while operating a motorcycle, while the remaining 16 were for disregarding traffic signals.

Police informed T. of her charges, and pictures of her motorcycle, along with those of other repeat traffic law violators, were posted on the Hiep Hoa police's Facebook page as a deterrent example.

T. has expressed her acceptance of the VND20 million administrative penalty imposed on her.

Further explaining herself, T. said that in Hiep Hoa District, she owns two buildings standing about 500 meters apart that she often has to travel between to sell fresh flowers.

One of the houses is located right at an intersection, opposite a traffic light pole.

Due to the short distance, she sometimes rides her motorcycle without wearing a proper helmet.

Regarding running red lights, T. explained that since her house is situated adjacent to a traffic light pole, simply driving from her house to the side of the road can sometimes be considered a violation.

When presented with footage from traffic monitoring cameras, T. herself admitted that in these instances, her actions, as well as those of her family members, technically breached traffic laws.

"I was surprised, but I complied and signed the penalty record because the violations committed by my relatives and me were genuine," T. explained.

“This will be a lesson not only for me but also for my husband and children.”

Disproportionately negative reaction

Notably, unblurred pictures of T. at the police station and her personal information were passed around forums and many social networks after the incident.

People began referring to her with names similar in meaning to ‘maniac driver' or 'the most fined woman in Hiep Hoa District.'

T. expressed her agreement with authorities posting traffic violation cases to deter and warn others. However, she pointed out that not obscuring the violator's image and personal information ended up causing her significant trouble.

"My life has been turned upside down because of hundreds of hateful comments online,” T. complained.

"Relatives and close ones constantly call me to ask questions.

“I don't even dare to open my phone to read messages or answer calls."

She also added that at the moment, police officers had only made a record of her violations without announcing a fine, and that she also had not paid an outrageous fine as posted on some social networks.

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