Consecutive disasters
On the morning of December 9, the atmosphere of mourning engulfed Quang Nam General Hospital for continuously receiving victims of the accident on the Da Nang - Quang Ngai Expressway. It was a fateful trip. 13 people in the same family, relatives from Ninh Binh to Lam Dong attended the wedding, were on their way to pick up a bride and return home after a happy day when the accident happened. The vehicle was carrying both the bride Vu Thi D (23 years old) and the groom. The happiness that had just bloomed was extinguished by the sound of a sand collision at 4:12 am at Km71+200 (through Bich Ngo village, Tam Xuan commune, Quang Nam province).
The 16-seat passenger car with license plate 29B-081.62 driven by Pham Van Kieu (39 years old) crashed into the rear of a tractor-trailer 15C-360.35 traveling in the same direction in front. As a result, 3 people died on the spot.
At the hospital - Ms. Tran Thi V (51 years old) - a relative in the group - continued to die, bringing the total number of deaths to 4. 9 others were injured, including 4 victims of traumatic brain injuries. "A happy trip turns into a disaster," a victim choked up as he recounted in pain. They were sleeping drunk when disaster came.
Less than 24 hours before, in the early morning of December 8, another accident occurred on the North-South expressway in the East, Bung - Van Ninh section (Quang Tri province) also claiming the lives of 2 victims. Not to mention other accidents on the La Son - Tuy Loan to Da Nang - Quang Ngai expressway that have occurred consecutively - fortunately there were no deaths.
And the heartbreaking warning
The cause of the tragedy in the early morning of December 9 was initially pointed out by the Traffic Police Department - Ministry of Public Security because the bus driver lacked attention, did not keep a safe distance, and did not ensure speed.
More alarmingly, a detail pointed out by the authorities is that many passengers on the vehicle are not wearing seat belts. This is the direct cause of the victims being hit hard, thrown off the chair, causing traumatic brain injuries and serious multiple injuries when the collision occurs.
The time frame for both of the above accidents occurred at around 4am - 5am. This is the "death time" for long-distance drivers - the time when sleep is most likely to hit, human natural reflexes slow down and subjectivity when seeing roads are empty.
On traffic forums, many drivers running the North - South route admitted that the road section through the Central region, especially the new expressways such as Cam Lo - La Son, La Son - Tuy Loan or Da Nang - Quang Ngai, the smooth road surface can easily "match" drivers. However, not complying with the safe distance from container trucks and slow-moving tractors in front is a fatal mistake.
The development of transport infrastructure and expressways connecting North and South is an economic driving force, but it cannot be allowed to become a nightmare. To prevent further serious accidents, the solution is not only in prohibition signs or cameras for fines.
The warning must reach drivers directly, especially passenger vans carrying many lives. Absolutely complying with regulations on driving time and rest is an vital command. In particular, the mandatory wearing of seat belts must be strictly - thoroughly implemented when traveling on the highway.
Authorities need to increase patrols and controls, especially at night on the main highways through the Central region. Strictly handle violations of speed, distance, and lane encroachment.
The expressway has brought many traffic benefits to people, promoting social development. But don't let the highway become a place to spread horror and obsession for people and vehicles when traveling in the Central region.
