A 42-seater car carrying up to 63 people on National Highway 5 (section passing through Hai Phong) is a typical example of opportunistic business thinking, regardless of safety.
The results are clear, the total fine is 157.5 million VND, including the driver 31.5 million VND, the car owner 126 million VND and the request to transfer passengers immediately. The price is not cheap for a few dozen "chairs" added.
But what is more noteworthy is the level of danger that this behavior causes.
The passenger car is designed with 42 seats, each seat, each walkway, and each adhesion point are calculated according to safety standards.
The car was stuffed with 21 more people, the entire design was broken, the escape route was blocked, passengers stood crowded, the weight exceeded the limit, and the driver's ability to handle situations was limited.
Just a sudden brake or collision, the consequences will not stop at "distorting the vehicle".
Car companies know the regulations, drivers understand the risks but still do it for profit.
Each "extra" passenger is an additional revenue, but that revenue is exchanged for pushing risks to those who have spent money to buy tickets.
The demand for travel during holidays increases, some car companies use the reason of "overloaded passengers", "pleasing passengers" to take advantage of earning extra income.
However, legal regulations are very clear on the number of people allowed to transport, on technical safety conditions, on the responsibilities of vehicle owners and drivers.
However, sanctions are only effective when implemented strictly and continuously.
Inspection and handling on national highways, especially during peak periods, need to be maintained with high frequency. The more passengers, the stricter the discipline must be.
In the opposite direction, passengers also need to change. Many people, because of impatience, because they want to go fast, accept getting into the car that is already full, even standing along the aisle.
This compromise inadvertently facilitates violations. If everyone refuses to get on the cramped buses, even if the bus company wants to violate, it will not be possible.
Returning to the case of passenger cars carrying more people and being fined 157.5 million VND, a specific lesson for car companies and drivers is that only law compliance is the most sustainable way of doing business.
Our ancestors had a precept, "if you are greedy, you will be depraved", applying it to this case is too accurate.
But, being fined is still "lucky" after all. If an accident occurs, the shop may collapse.
