If you’ve ever been to Vietnam, you know the streets can feel like an organized chaos—motorbikes weaving, horns honking, and red lights often ignored. But these days, drivers in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are hitting the brakes on their freewheeling ways, and it’s all thanks to some eye-watering new fines.

The government recently cranked up traffic penalties by ten times, with the heaviest fines reaching over $1,500. For many drivers, that’s more than they earn in a month. The result? People are suddenly paying attention to rules they used to skip, like stopping at red lights, yielding to pedestrians, and staying off sidewalks.

This shift has made intersections feel calmer, but it’s also led to longer waits as drivers double-check every move. Some are even so nervous about getting fined that they’ve been spotted walking their motorbikes across the street instead of riding them.

For locals like Pham Van Lam, a 57-year-old working near a busy Ho Chi Minh City road, the change is a mixed bag. “It’s safer, it’s better,” he said, “but it’s cruel for poor people.”

The crackdown is part of Vietnam’s push to become more “civilized” (“van minh” in Vietnamese), a term often used by the government to describe their vision of a more orderly, modern society. It’s clear they’re taking inspiration from wealthier nations like Singapore or Japan.

While the new fines are making the streets safer, they’re also putting a strain on everyday folks. As Vietnam continues its balancing act between safety and fairness, one thing’s for sure: the days of carefree motorbike chaos might just be over.