Although many level crossings intersecting with railways have been fully installed with traffic lights, warning bells and automatic barriers. However, the situation of traffic participants intentionally crossing level crossings when trains are about to arrive continues to occur in many localities, posing a particularly serious risk of accidents.
According to information from the Traffic Police force, on May 29, 2026, the whole country deployed 61 working groups with 172 turns of officers and soldiers to participate in inspecting and handling violations at level crossings and railway traffic safety corridors.
Among them, 36 disguised officials were on duty to record violations. Through inspection, functional forces discovered and handled 49 violations, and also fined 5 more cases.
The main violations include crossing level crossings when the red light turns on, overtaking when the barrier is lowered or has been completely lowered. In addition, there are up to 33 cases of stopping and parking vehicles within the railway traffic safety scope. Some localities recorded many violations such as Hanoi with 9 cases, Ninh Binh 5 cases, Bac Ninh and Dak Lak with 4 cases.
Notably, on May 29, 2026, the Railway industry continued to provide 2 more violations through images for functional forces to verify and handle. Local police have also completed handling 2 violations recorded earlier.
Functional forces emphasized that trains cannot brake suddenly like cars or motorbikes. When the warning bell rings, the red light flashes or the barrier begins to lower, traffic participants need to stop in front of the stop line, absolutely do not intentionally overtake for any reason.
A few minutes late is better than regretting for life" is a recommendation that functional forces continuously emphasize to traffic participants at railway intersections. Giving way to trains is also protecting the lives of oneself and loved ones.
The Traffic Police Department requests people to strictly comply with traffic lights, bells and barriers at level crossings; not to stop or park vehicles within railway traffic safety boundary; and proactively report violations to functional forces.
Notably, according to Decree 81/2026/ND-CP effective from May 15, 2026 replacing the previous Decree 100, the penalty level for crossing railway barriers has been adjusted to increase sharply.
Specifically, pedestrians crossing barriers when the red light turns on or the barrier is closed will be fined from 200,000 VND to 300,000 VND. Drivers of bicycles and rudimentary vehicles may be fined from 1 million VND to 2 million VND.
For motorbike and moped drivers, the fine increases from 4 million VND to 6 million VND. Drivers of tractors and specialized motorbikes are fined from 8 million VND to 10 million VND.
The most notable is the penalty level for car drivers. According to new regulations, car drivers crossing railway barriers when the red light turns on or the barrier has been lowered may be fined from 18 million VND to 20 million VND.
The sharp increase in penalties is expected to raise the awareness of law compliance of traffic participants, limit dangerous acts and reduce the risk of serious accidents at railway intersections.
