Experience driving cars across railways to ensure safety that drivers should know

Railway is a part of the road designed exclusively for trains. This is a priority lane so road vehicles must give way and comply with traffic safety rules when driving across the railway.

Experience when driving across the railway

Do not attempt to overtake when there are lights and warning bells.

Drivers should never attempt to cross a railway line when there are warning lights and bells, even if the barrier is not fully down or there is no barrier. There have been many railway accidents when cars and motorbikes attempted to cross a railway line despite the signal system.

Do not cross the tracks when there is traffic on the other side.

If you see signs of traffic jams or congestion on the other side of the tracks, you should definitely not cross. At this time, it is likely that your vehicle will have to stop in the middle of the tracks because it will be difficult to move. When the train arrives, it will not be able to cross because it is stuck in the crowd. Therefore, when crossing the tracks, you should observe the other side. If the road is clear, then let your vehicle pass. If you see traffic jams and cannot ensure a safe distance from the tracks, you should stop your vehicle and wait for the train to pass.

Stop 5m before the railway to listen for train signals

In Vietnam, many railway crossings are not yet equipped with adequate traffic lights or barriers. Therefore, motorists should be cautious when crossing these sections of railway, especially at night.

Motor vehicle drivers should stop at least 5 meters before the railway, turn on the signal lights and listen for sounds before crossing the railway. If they hear the echo of the train, the driver can return to the vehicle and wait until the train passes before continuing. Conversely, in the case of no echo, the car driver can safely cross the railway. Although this method takes more time, it helps the driver ensure safety when traveling.

Regulations on driving cars across railways

Learning the regulations when driving a car across a railway is to ensure safety and avoid unexpected risks that directly affect people and vehicles participating in traffic.

Article 25 of the 2008 Road Traffic Law (amended and supplemented by a number of articles under Resolution No. 51/2001/QH10) clearly states the rules when traveling on road sections intersecting at the same level with railways, road bridges sharing railways, specifically as follows:

Railway vehicles have the right of way on road sections that intersect at the same level with railways or road bridges that share a railway.

At road and railway level crossings with traffic lights, barriers and warning bells: When the traffic light turns red, accompanied by a warning bell and the barrier is closed, the driver must stop on his side of the road and a safe distance from the barrier. Only when the traffic light and warning bell have turned off and the barrier is fully opened can the driver proceed.

At a level crossing with a railway where there are only traffic lights or warning bells: When the red traffic light is on or the warning bell sounds, road users must stop immediately and keep a minimum distance of 5 meters from the nearest rail. Drivers may only cross the railway when the traffic lights and warning bells are off.

At road intersections with railways without traffic lights, barriers and warning bells, road users must look both ways and may only cross if there is no other railway vehicle in motion. In case of seeing a railway vehicle approaching, the vehicle owner must stop and maintain a minimum distance of 5 meters from the nearest railway track. Only when the railway vehicle has passed may the driver continue to move to ensure railway traffic safety.

When a road vehicle breaks down at a level crossing with a railway or within the railway safety zone, the driver must, by all means, place a signal on the railway at least 500 meters away on both sides as quickly as possible. At the same time, the driver of the road vehicle must quickly find a way to notify the railway management, the nearest station and move the vehicle out of the railway safety zone as soon as possible.

People present at the place where a road vehicle breaks down at a level crossing with a railway must help the driver move the vehicle out of the railway safety zone as quickly as possible.