Hanoi (VNA) – Arrest and criminal charges, these are the steep price paid by a Lexus driver in Hanoi for his lack of civility on the road.

In recent days, a shocking road rage incident involving a Lexus driver assaulting a delivery worker in the capital city has sparked widespread public outrage. Security camera footage circulating on social media captured the driver repeatedly attacking the delivery man, even using the victim’s own helmet as a weapon. Authorities in Tay Ho district have since brought criminal proceedings against and taken the suspect – Tong Anh Tuan (born 1982, Hanoi) – into custody for intentional assault. Initial investigations reveal that the violent quarrel stemmed from a minor traffic collision, escalating into physical violence as Tuan kicked, punched, and struck the victim with a helmet, causing injuries.

Unfortunately, such violent road incidents are far from rare. On February 2, police in the northern province of Nam Dinh arrested two brothers, Pham Ngoc Tuan (born 1980) and Pham Van Tuyen (1982), for assaulting a fellow motorist after an altercation in traffic.

Similarly, a few days earlier in the central province of Quang Binh, a dispute over a traffic accident ended in death, as 30-year-old Hoang Trung Hieu was arrested for kicking a man in the head, leading to a fatal outcome.

Even more tragically, on December 30 last year, in the southern province of Binh Duong, a minor collision turned deadly when Le Van Hien (born 1986) brutally attacked N.T.B., leaving him unconscious. The victim later died from his injuries.

Traffic etiquette is not just about obeying the rules; it is about how we treat others on the road. A moment of lost temper – a reckless word, or an impatient act – can escalate into irreversible consequences. The increasing frequency of violent traffic disputes is a warning sign of deteriorating public civility. It highlights a troubling lack of patience and emotional control among some road users. Such behavior must be met with strict legal consequences. Financial penalties alone are insufficient – perpetrators of traffic-related violence must face criminal prosecution to serve as a deterrent.

Beyond legal measures, education and awareness on traffic etiquette are crucial. Such simple acts as yielding the right of way, apologising for minor accidents, or maintaining calmness in stressful situations can prevent unnecessary confrontations. Encouraging a culture of patience and respect on the roads will help foster a more harmonious and safer society.

One inspiring example of traffic responsibility came from a young student in the central coastal city of Da Nang just weeks ago. While cycling to school, the boy accidentally scratched a parked car. Instead of ignoring the incident, he returned minutes later, leaving behind a handwritten note apologising to the car owner: I'm sorry for scratching your car. I wasn't paying attention while riding my bike to school. Along with the note, the student left 200,000 VND (7.87 USD) as compensation.

This simple yet powerful gesture touched hearts nationwide, earning widespread praise for his honesty and sense of accountability. His action serves as a stark contrast to the aggression seen in many traffic altercations – a reminder that age and education level do not define one’s character, but actions do.

Ultimately, in the fast-paced world of traffic, patience is a virtue. One moment of patience, nine moments of peace, as the old Vietnamese saying goes./.