Vietnam fines 193 drivers in one day in railway crossing crackdown

The violations included 13 involving cars and 180 involving motorbikes, with 144 cases handled directly and 49 through camera-based enforcement, authorities said.

Total fines amounted to VND134.9 million (US$5,150).

Offenses included 29 cases of drivers crossing railway tracks when red warning lights were activated but barriers had not yet lowered, 21 cases of crossing while barriers were lowering, two cases of crossing after barriers had fully lowered, and 67 cases of stopping or parking within railway safety corridors.

Violations involving drivers crossing after red lights were activated, particularly motorcyclists attempting to bypass lowering barriers, remained high, the department said.

“This shows a subjective mindset, with drivers trying to save time and deliberately weaving past barriers even when the coming train has yet to come visible, posing a particularly serious railway accident risk,” it said.

Ho Chi Minh City recorded 68 violations, followed by Hanoi with 20 and Khanh Hoa Province with 16.

Lao Cai Province, Da Nang City, and Ninh Binh Province each recorded 11 cases.

In Hanoi, a motorcyclist became trapped inside a railway safety zone after attempting to pass a lowering barrier at a crossing in Hoang Liet Ward, requiring police and crossing staff to remove the rider and vehicle to ensure train operations continued safely, authorities said.