Many high school students in the central city of Da Nang are still riding motorbikes to school despite the recent introduction of stringent regulations on underage driving.

This photo displays a high school student driving another on a scooter in front of Phan Chau Trinh High School in Da Nang's Hai Chau District, the engine size of which far exceeds the 50 cc cap imposed by local authorities., Photo: Tuoi Tre

The Da Nang People’s Council has ordered that heavy fines be imposed on those high school students who ride over-50 cc motorbikes to school, and that the vehicles be seized for 60 days.

However, many high school students in the city have ignored this legislation.

A large number of students at high schools located in central business districts such as Tran Phu High School or Phan Chau Trinh High School were seen Wednesday riding motorbikes with engine sizes exceeding the limit.

Numerous students could be found driving as well parking their bikes on the sidewalk, which local residents use to make improvised parking lots, near Ngo Quyen High School situated in Son Tra District.

Parking lots around other schools were also crowded with students’ motorbikes, whose engine capacity well surpasses the 50 cc cap.

A parking lot owner said many students opted to use these facilities after high schools denied them parking for their motorbikes.

Da Nang has clamped down on underage driving among high school students since early January when it issued the regulations allowing police to sequester vehicles 50 days longer than stipulated by the law.

Traffic rules will be tightened around the country as Vietnam chooses 2012 as the year of safe driving.

Source: Tuoi Tre