Motorbikes enter the alley to go the wrong way up the Nga Tu So overpass

For over 2 years, people in many alleys on Nguyen Trai and Thuong Dinh streets (Thanh Xuan district, Hanoi) have installed barriers to block motorbikes during morning rush hour.

The reason given by the locals is that during rush hour, many motorbikes enter the alley to go the wrong way to the Nga Tu So overpass, causing traffic jams and unsafety. Many motorbikes entering the alley have also caused traffic accidents. There have even been cases of arguments and fights... between local residents and road users.

W-2 HAI_4178.jpg
People lock barriers to block alleys during morning rush hour. Photo: Pham Hai

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Que, Secretary of the Party Cell of the 2B Mechanical Residential Area, said that only those who often take shortcuts into the alley objected to the barrier installation, while the residents of the area strongly agreed and supported it.

Mr. Le Quang Vinh, Deputy Head of Residential Group No. 1, shared that there was a time when the militia force stood at the entrance of the alley to prevent motorbikes from going in the opposite direction from the alley to Nguyen Trai Street, but the motorbike drivers argued and even fought with the militia force.

W-5A HAI_4223.jpg

Mr. Nguyen Tien Khang, Secretary of the Party Cell of the 2A Mechanical Residential Area, said that after the barrier was installed, people's travel became more convenient. Especially, there was no longer a situation of motorbikes crossing and going in the opposite direction on Nguyen Trai Street to get to the Nga Tu So overpass.

"I propose that the Ward People's Committee and Ward Police allow the barrier to be maintained during rush hour or have other alternative solutions to ensure safety," said Mr. Nguyen Tien Khang.

Barrier closing contributes to ensuring traffic safety?

Regarding the fact that people block the barrier themselves, preventing motorbikes from entering the alley, Mr. Tran Phan My - Vice Chairman of the Ward People's Committee said that according to the law, people blocking the barrier is not right, the local government does not allow this behavior. However, if the barrier is not closed, thousands of people in the residential area will be affected.

"In the coming time, we will work with authorities and people to find solutions to comply with the law while still ensuring safe travel for people," said Mr. Tran Phan My.

W-5B HAI_4233.jpg
Many alleys are narrow, some are only 0.8m wide. Photo: Pham Hai

A representative of Thuong Dinh Ward Police also said that many people crossed Nguyen Trai Street, went the wrong way up Nga Tu So overpass, and did not follow the police's orders. There were even cases where they insulted and crashed their vehicles into the police on duty.

"Through monitoring, since the alleys on Nguyen Trai and Thuong Dinh streets were equipped with barriers, there has been no more situation of motorbikes going the wrong way to get on the Nga Tu So overpass," said a representative of Thuong Dinh Ward Police.

A representative of the Traffic Police Team No. 7 (Traffic Police Department of Hanoi City Police) also said that the issue of people deliberately crossing Nguyen Trai Street and going the wrong way up the Nga Tu So overpass has been going on for a long time. The unit regularly deploys forces to handle the situation, but without the presence of traffic police, traffic participants deliberately violate the rules.

"People arbitrarily installing barriers to prevent vehicles from entering alleys is not in accordance with regulations, but in reality it prevents vehicles from intentionally going in the wrong direction," said a representative of Traffic Police Team No. 7.

A representative of Traffic Police Team No. 7 added that to find a solution that is both legal and prevents the situation of going the wrong way, local authorities need to meet with people to resolve the difficulties.