Lo Xo Pass is more than 35 km long, connecting Da Nang city and Kon Tum, Quang Ngai province. Due to the rugged terrain, many sharp turns, limited visibility, especially during the rainy and stormy season, this road section has many potential risks to traffic safety.
During the rainy season, Lo Xo Pass is often covered in thick fog and prolonged rain, causing the road surface to slip. Many sections still have mud and rocks falling from the positive slope onto the road.
Mr. Nguyen Manh Tinh - a bus driver on the Gia Lai route to Da Nang - shared: "Just a second of negligence can cause the bus to slide, lose control when going downhill or taking a quick turn. Although the road surface has been renovated, due to the steep and winding terrain, rainwater is prone to stagnation, creating unpredictable "smooth spots".
In addition to weather factors, the increasing density of heavy trucks traveling through the pass also increases risks. Container trucks, trucks carrying wood and construction materials often travel here to connect goods between the Central Highlands and the Central region.
When going down a long slope, heavy trucks can easily lose brakes or cannot control their speed, causing serious accidents.
In fact, many tragic accidents have occurred on Lo Xo Pass, mainly involving passenger cars and large trucks slipping or falling into a ravine. Although the authorities have installed warning signs, bridge mirrors and protective railings, drivers participating in traffic must still be absolutely cautious.
According to the Traffic Police of Quang Ngai Province Police, the cause of accidents on Lo Xo Pass mostly comes from speeding, braking suddenly when going downhill, not checking the vehicle carefully before departure or not complying with regulations on load.
During the rainy season, some drivers also abuse headlights when driving in the mist, causing brightness in the eyes of the opposite vehicle, increasing the possibility of collision.
To limit accidents, the authorities recommend that drivers be proactive in their numbers when going downhill, keeping a safe distance, absolutely not recklessly overtaking and not driving in bad weather.
