According to information from the Traffic Police Department (CSGT), Ministry of Public Security, in the first 6 months of 2026, 25 traffic vehicle fires occurred on expressways managed by this unit. The incidents caused 1 death.
Among these, 11 vehicles were completely burned down, 14 vehicles were partially burned, causing great property damage and potential risk of traffic unsafety.
Faced with the above situation, the Traffic Police Department recommends that vehicle operators and vehicle owners need to strictly implement preventive measures to limit the risk of fire and explosion when traveling on highways.
Accordingly, do not arbitrarily modify, modify or install additional electrical equipment outside the manufacturer's design. Installing additional LED lights, high-power sound systems or electrical equipment of unknown origin may cause the electrical system to be overloaded.
When the vehicle operates continuously at high speed, connections that do not meet technical standards are prone to electrical short circuits, sparks and fire.
At the same time, it is necessary to use tires that meet technical standards and regularly check the tire condition. According to the Traffic Police Department, the highway surface has a large roughness to increase grip and increase friction when vehicles move at high speeds.
If the tire is worn, expired, or not in accordance with technical specifications, the risk of tire blowout is very high. The heat generated from friction can lead to burning of surrounding parts. Therefore, drivers need to check the pressure, wear, and tire condition before each trip.
Absolutely do not carry overloaded goods. Carrying over designed loads causes the brake system, tires and engines to operate over capacity. Brake binding or high pressure tires for a long time will generate strong heat, increasing the risk of fire, especially for trucks and tractor-trailers.
The Traffic Police Department also recommends that vehicle owners and drivers need to form a habit of comprehensively checking the vehicle before departure. Drivers should spend a few minutes checking the cooling water level, engine oil, observe signs of fuel leakage under the vehicle, and equip fire extinguishers that are still within their lifespan and place them in a convenient location for use when necessary.
The Traffic Police Department said that proactively inspecting vehicles, periodic maintenance and complying with technical regulations is an important solution to minimize the risk of fire and explosion, ensuring safety for people and vehicles when traveling on highways.
