VNR proposed measures to prevent rail accidents after a bloody July

 

A car was hit by a train in Bình Thuận Province on July 31 killing three people and injuring one other.  — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Thanh

HÀ NỘI — As many as 27 train accidents left 17 people dead and 23 others injured in July 2019 alone, raising the question of general public's compliance to traffic regulations.

Responding to the increasing number of collisions, Việt Nam Railway (VNR) issued several preventative solutions, the Vietnam News Agency has reported.

Volunteers were mobilised to guard high-risk level crossings during the peak time of summer transportation from June 10 to July 31.

VNR has asked the National Traffic Safety Committee to tighten management and prevent violations including self-opening crossings or encroaching on the railway safety corridor as well as raise awareness of people on ensuring railway safety.

According to the agency’s report, in recent days, many severe train accidents occurred at level crossings, causing damage and seriously affecting railway transport.

“The main cause is the neglect of road vehicle operators when crossing railways and their failure to comply with traffic safety regulations,” the report stated.

A report by the National Traffic Safety Committee revealed that 75 train accidents occurred in the first half of 2019, killing 53 people and injuring 30 others.

The number rose 22.9 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Up to 78 per cent of train accidents happened at self-made crossings or along the railway safety corridor.

Hà Nội, Khánh Hoà Province and Hải Dương Province recorded the highest numbers of incidents, with 19, 16 and 10 cases, respectively.

On July 31, at a level crossing in Tuy Phong District of the south-central province of Bình Thuận, the train No.SE27 hit a 16-seat car whose driver reportedly failed to check if the railway was clear when he passed the crossing. The accident left three people dead and one injured.

Việt Nam’s railway network has more than 5,700 level crossings. Some 4,000 of them are illegal, accounting for 70 per cent. — VNS