When driving on the road, you’ve likely encountered prohibition signs with prominent red circles. These are a crucial part of the road sign system, helping to guide traffic and ensure safety for all vehicles. Among them, many people, especially truck drivers, often wonder about the meaning of the “No Tractor” sign and whether this type of sign applies to trucks. This article from the experts at My Dinh Truck will clarify the issue of “does the ‘No Tractor’ sign prohibit trucks?” and related regulations, helping you drive safely and comply with traffic laws accurately.
What are Prohibition Signs and How to Recognize Them?
Prohibition signs are one of the five main groups of road traffic signs, clearly defined in Regulation 41:2019/BGTVT. The primary function of this group of signs is to indicate prohibitions or restrictions that road users must obey. The ultimate goal is to ensure traffic order and safety, reducing the risk of accidents and congestion.
Easily recognizable features of prohibition signs:
- Shape: Predominantly circular.
- Color: Striking red border, white background inside.
- Symbols/Numbers: Black, visually and clearly representing the prohibited action.
The use of red and white is intentional to enhance warning capability, attracting the attention of drivers from a distance, especially in adverse weather or light conditions. Prohibition signs are typically installed in important locations such as intersections, or before areas requiring restrictions or prohibitions. If a sign needs to be placed further from the prohibited location, auxiliary sign S.502 will be used to specify the effective distance.
No Tractor Sign: Meaning and Scope
The “No Tractor” sign, also known as sign P.120 according to Regulation 41:2019/BGTVT, is a prohibition sign. This sign is designed to indicate that the road ahead prohibits all types of tractors, including both wheeled and tracked tractors.
The main meaning of sign P.120 is to prevent the movement of tractors on road sections where this type of vehicle may pose a danger, obstruct traffic, or is unsuitable for road conditions. When encountering this sign, tractor operators are required to comply and must not enter the road section covered by the sign’s effect.
Answer: Does the “No Tractor” Sign Prohibit Trucks?
So, the question is, does the “No Tractor” sign prohibit trucks? The answer is NO. The “No Tractor” sign (P.120) only prohibits tractors. Meanwhile, truck prohibition signs (signs P.106a, P.106b, P.107) apply specifically to trucks and may include other types of vehicles depending on the specific sign.
This means that if you are driving a truck and encounter a “No Tractor” sign, you can still continue driving on that road section without violating the law. Conversely, tractor operators must comply with this sign and find an alternative route.
Truck Prohibition Signs and the Relationship with Tractors
To understand better, we need to clearly distinguish between “No Tractor” signs and “Truck Prohibition” signs:
- No Tractor sign (P.120): Only prohibits tractors, does not prohibit trucks, cars, or other types of vehicles (unless accompanied by supplementary signs).
- Truck Prohibition signs (P.106a, P.106b, P.107): Prohibit trucks. Depending on the specific sign, the scope of prohibition may vary:
- P.106a (Truck Prohibition): Prohibits trucks with a tonnage above a certain value.
- P.106b (Truck Prohibition): Prohibits trucks with a total vehicle weight (curb weight plus permissible cargo weight) above a certain value.
- P.107 (Truck and Passenger Car Prohibition): Prohibits both trucks and passenger cars.
It is important to note that truck prohibition signs (P.106a, P.106b, P.107) DO NOT PROHIBIT TRACTORS, unless there is a supplementary sign specifying otherwise. However, in practice, tractors are often restricted by many other prohibition signs due to their speed and size characteristics.
Penalties for Violating Prohibition Signs
Compliance with the traffic sign system is the responsibility of all road users, as stipulated in Article 11 of the Law on Road Traffic 2008. In addition, Article 25 of Regulation 41:2019/BGTVT also emphasizes compliance with prohibitions indicated by traffic signs.
Violations of prohibition signs will be subject to administrative penalties according to Decree 100/2019/ND-CP (amended and supplemented by Decree 123/2021/ND-CP). The specific penalties for entering a road with a prohibition sign are as follows:
- Cars (including trucks): Fine from VND 2,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 (Point b, Clause 4, Article 5 of Decree 100/2019/ND-CP).
- Motorcycles: Fine from VND 400,000 to VND 600,000 (Point i, Clause 3, Article 6 of Decree 100/2019/ND-CP).
These penalties are not only a financial deterrent but also a reminder of the importance of complying with traffic laws, ensuring safety for oneself and the community.
Conclusion:
Understanding the meaning of each type of traffic sign, especially the “No Tractor” sign and “Truck Prohibition” signs, is crucial knowledge for every driver. The “No Tractor” sign DOES NOT PROHIBIT TRUCKS. Always observe and carefully understand the signs on the road to drive safely, legally, and contribute to building a civilized traffic environment. My Dinh Truck is always with you on every road!
