Recent incidents involving drivers ignoring railway safety measures have drawn increasing concern from authorities.

A truck driver in Quang Ngai was recently identified after forcing his vehicle through a railway crossing while barriers were descending, damaging safety equipment before leaving the scene.

Following the collision between train SE19 and a sand truck in Thuong Tin Commune, the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security requested Hanoi Police investigate the responsibilities of all relevant individuals and organizations.

In another case, a wedding convoy vehicle attempted to cross a railway intersection despite red warning lights and descending barriers, becoming stranded dangerously close to the tracks as a train approached.

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On the evening of June 7, a railway accident occurred at Km17+400 on the North-South railway line in Thuong Tin Commune, Hanoi, damaging locomotive SE19, a car and four motorcycles.

Initial findings by Hanoi Traffic Police determined that the driver of a truck failed to obey railway warning signals and attempted to cross the tracks despite the lowered barrier.

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When VietNamNet returned to the site on June 10, three days after the accident, the entire railway safety signal system and automatic barriers had been restored and were operating normally.
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Despite this, road users were still seen ignoring warning bells and attempting to cross while barriers were lowering or already down, posing serious risks to railway safety. In the image, two women riding electric motorcycles without helmets squeeze through the barrier.
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At 8:06 p.m. the same evening, not just one but two motorcyclists were seen weaving through the barrier in succession despite an approaching train.
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In an effort to spot the train while crossing, a young man without a helmet stood upright on his motorcycle, steering with one hand while looking toward the tracks.
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A similar situation was recorded at Km13+714 on the North-South railway line in Ngoc Hoi Commune, Hanoi. This location was also the site of a railway accident on February 25 that claimed one life.
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The risky behavior is not limited to motorcyclists. Some car drivers still attempt to beat the barrier even after railway warning lights have been activated and the crossing gate has begun to descend.
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At a level crossing connecting National Highway 1A and Provincial Road 70 near Van Dien Station in Hanoi, motorcyclists are also frequently seen attempting to cross after barriers have been lowered.
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Under Decree 81/2026, car drivers who cross railway barriers while they are lowering or already lowered, enter a crossing after warning lights have turned red, or fail to comply with instructions from railway staff or signaling systems face fines of VND18-20 million (US$690-770).

Motorcyclists committing the same violations face fines ranging from VND6-8 million (US$230-310).

Dinh Hieu