Heavy goods falling onto the road pose an unpredictable hazard.

Unexpected incidents

At approximately 10 PM on September 22nd, a truck carrying concrete pillars traveling from Hai Phong to Hanoi overturned near Phu Luong Bridge on National Highway 5, in Nam Dong Ward. The truck partially crushed a 16-seater vehicle traveling in the same direction.

Numerous concrete pillars fell onto the road, rolling into lanes and colliding with passing vehicles. Some pillars broke in half, blocking the road. A 16-seater vehicle was severely damaged. Traffic in the area was congested for hours, with vehicles having to stop while authorities dealt with the situation.

Immediately after the incident, police arrived to secure the scene, direct traffic, coordinate rescue efforts to move the damaged vehicle, and clear the road.

Earlier, on the afternoon of August 24th, near the Dong Hai overpass on Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Dong Hai Ward, a similar incident involving a tractor-trailer carrying rolls of sheet metal occurred. Around 4:10 PM, the tractor-trailer was traveling in the same direction as a truck. When braking, the two rolls of sheet metal shifted forward, breaking the securing cables/chains, and then rolled and fell onto the road.

A roll of sheet metal collided with a parked car that had broken down at the intersection of Phu Xa and Nguyen Binh Khiem streets. Three vehicles sustained damage to varying degrees. The incident did not cause any injuries but raised concerns among road users.

Ms. Vu Thi Thanh, residing in Lai Khe commune, stated that the problem of trucks and containers spilling materials onto National Highway 5 occurs frequently, posing a danger to residents along the road. "In some cases, trucks have even crashed directly into houses, threatening lives and property," Ms. Thanh said.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thiem, from Phu Thai commune, said he frequently travels on National Highway 5 through Hai Phong. What worries him most is the unpredictable nature of driving alongside or behind vehicles carrying heavy loads. "Trucks and tractor-trailers are usually large, and if the cargo shifts or falls onto the road, drivers nearby almost have no time to react," Mr. Thiem shared.

Safety control starts from the lashing stage.

Mr. Pham Van Hoan, a resident of Hong Bang ward and owner of several container trucks, said that for heavy cargo shipments, proper loading, distribution, and securing of goods are crucial. "Before departure, I always remind my drivers to carefully check the loading method, securing equipment, and safety of the lashing system," Mr. Hoan said.

According to Mr. Hoan, to reduce accidents, authorities need to control the responsibility of cargo owners and transport companies in loading and securing goods before vehicles depart, and at the same time strengthen inspections of vehicles that regularly carry heavy goods on National Highway 5. Training road users on how to identify and avoid hazards also needs to be emphasized, especially in areas with a high density of trucks and container vehicles.

According to the Traffic Police Department (City Police), in the first nine months of the year, the city experienced 603 traffic accidents, resulting in 326 deaths and 375 injuries. On national highways, there were 181 accidents, causing 105 deaths and 89 injuries. National Highway 5 alone accounted for approximately one-third of the accidents and fatalities on national highways within the city. This included accidents involving cargo vehicles, such as the case mentioned above.

To mitigate this problem, safety must be ensured right from the loading and securing stage of the goods. For steel coils, sheet metal coils, concrete components, and large-volume goods, it is necessary to select appropriate vehicles, distribute the load properly, use the correct securing equipment, and conduct thorough inspections before transportation.

Lieutenant Colonel Le Duc Hiep, Head of Road Traffic Police Team No. 5 (Traffic Police Department, City Police), said that drivers of vehicles carrying heavy goods should proactively check when encountering trucks and containers carrying oversized cargo. Road users should reduce speed, maintain a safe distance, and avoid driving too close behind or parallel for extended periods with vehicles carrying oversized cargo.

According to Decree 168/2024/ND-CP, the act of transporting goods without proper securing or with improper securing is punishable by a fine of 18-22 million VND. If the violation results in a traffic accident, the fine increases to 30-35 million VND, and the driver will have 4 points deducted from their driver's license.

In addition to administrative penalties, if goods fall onto the road causing damage to people or property, the vehicle owner, manager, or user may also be liable for compensation according to civil law regulations.

MIGRATION