More than 5,200 motorbikes took the HCM City-Long Thành-Dầu Giây Expressway last year even though there is a ban on two-wheeled vehicles operating on the route, according to the Vietnam Expressway Services Engineering Joint Stock Company (VECE).

The motorbike drivers took the expressway following Google Maps and ignoring signs along the expressway, the VECE told online newspaper Zing.

More than 3,600 motorbikes drove on HCM City-Dầu Giây route and more than 1,600 ran in the opposite direction.

All of the drivers were blocked when they reached tollbooths, where they received instructions on how to get to other roads.

The VECE has tried several ideas to stop the problem, including increasing inspections, assigning more workers at the tollbooths to give directions, and co-operating with traffic police to punish those who intentionally took the expressway.

One of the most important measures should be Google Maps updating its directions, while should not be too dependent on maps or ignore the signs, which is a compulsory part of obtaining a driving licence. — VNS