A train was forced to make an emergency stop yesterday after dozens of motorbike users simply ignored warning lights and the barriers and occupied the rail track.

A train was forced to make an emergency stop on April 13 afternoon after dozens of motorbike users simply ignored the barriers and occupied the rail track.

The train had to begin braking 50 metres from a rail crossing on National Road 21B in Ha Dong District at 5.10pm on April 13 after the driver noticed the barrier guard raising a flag to order an immediate stop.

According to the train driver, Vu Ngoc Thang, he quickly braked and successfully stopped the train some metres from the crossing.

"I've seen many local people risking their life at several railroad crossings on National Road 21B," Thang said. "We’re very scared when running through this area, especially during rush hours."

Head of the Traffic Safety Department under the Ministry of Transport, Nguyen Van Thach, admitted that this was a very dangerous situation and would have ended up in catastrophic accidents if the driver hadn’t reacted quickly.

"The ministry will investigate the case and we’ll look at deploying more guards and upgrading the equipment at these crossings to ensure the safety of both the trains and local people.

According to statistics from the Vietnam Railways Company, the country has more than 5,700 railway crossings, 4,200 of which were illegally opened by local people.

Of the legal railway crossings, 86 percent are unsafe due to limited vision, steep slopes and proximity to residential areas and industrial zones.