Haunted road of death in Que Phong

(Baonghean.vn) - Recently, on National Highway 16, the section running through Que Phong district, there have been consecutive serious traffic accidents, of which the most frequent is the Chuoi slope.

Many people think this is the road of death.

A truck overturned while passing through National Highway 16, Chuoi slope, Muong village, Chau Kim commune. Photo: Hung Cuong

The road section where accidents often occur is National Highway 16 connecting Chau Kim commune to Chau Thon commune of Que Phong district. This road section is about 6 km long, of which the Chuoi slope is about 3 km long. This is also the only vital traffic route connecting Kim Son town - Que Phong district to the southwestern communes of the district such as: Chau Kim, Tri Le, Nam Nhoong, Chau Thon, Cam Muon, Quang Phong, including the Vietnam - Laos border area in Tri Le commune. Although the road has been paved for a long time, there are still many steep passes, zigzag roads, and dangerous hairpin turns. Especially the section through Chuoi slope.

Pu Sai Snail Slope in Na Ty village, Chau Thon commune. Photo: Hung Cuong

There have been many traffic accidents on this road in the past. Trucks, passenger cars, and motorbikes have continuously had accidents such as overturning, losing control, colliding, etc., some of which are serious and have resulted in death. Typically, on July 7, 2017, Mr. Lo Van Cuong, (27 years old), residing in Tri Le commune, was riding a motorbike carrying his wife, Luong Thi Lan, when he reached Chuoi slope (Muong village, Chau Kim commune) and collided with a patrol car of Que Phong district traffic police. The accident resulted in Mr. Cuong's death on the spot and Ms. Lan's serious injury.

The collision with a patrol car of Que Phong District Police going in the wrong direction on July 7th caused the death of Lo Van Cuong. Photo: Hung Cuong

People living along the Chau Kim - Chau Thon road said that car overturns, motorbike collisions, and accidents due to falls often occur here. Previously, on February 22, 2017, a truck carrying bamboo overturned when reaching Chuoi slope, injuring the driver; on February 5, 2017, a motorbike collision injured two people.

Locals also said that the number of people who have suffered injuries while passing through this road is countless. "Because the road is narrow, steep, and winding through the mountains and forests, visibility is limited, while the number of participants is not small, so accidents are inevitable."

After upgrading the Chau Kim - Chau Thon route, it has become more open, but the road surface is littered with gravel, which is an extremely dangerous trap for road users. In the photo, the Pu Sai slope belongs to the Na Ty village, Chau Thon commune. Photo: Hung Cuong

In recent days, National Highway 16, Chau Kim - Chau Thon section, is being upgraded and repaired. The road has become more open and wider. However, there would be nothing worth mentioning if the construction unit had not left a lot of gravel scattered on the road surface. This is also one of the causes of accidents for traffic participants when passing through this road section. In addition, some sections that have not been constructed in Chau Thon commune are often eroded by rain on both sides of the road, creating very dangerous deep holes.

A motorcyclist fell while riding on Highway 16, Chau Kim - Chau Thon section. Photo: Hung Cuong

Mr. Pham Sam Tu, resident of Chau Kim commune, shared: “I ride a scooter, when going downhill on a sharp curve, I often have to brake and put my foot down at the same time, because there are too many gravels that can scratch the wheels, which is extremely dangerous. I hope the construction unit will pay more attention to the treatment of the road surface to avoid causing accidents for traffic participants.”

Some points on the road have landslides, posing a danger to road users. Photo: Hung Cuong

Ms. Mac Thi Hoai in Chau Thon commune said: "I am pregnant, before I still had to go through this road, going slowly was still safe, since the road is almost finished I do not dare to ride my motorbike anymore because I am afraid of falling because the curves have gravel covering the road on both sides, very dangerous, I have to ask my husband or family to take me whenever I need to go to town".

According to our observations and the sharing of many people participating in traffic on this route, some sharp curves have limited visibility due to the rocks on both sides and trees, the road surface on sharp curves and slopes is too narrow, if the vehicle loses its brakes or loses traction, it will be very dangerous.

It is thought that the authorities and the government of Que Phong district need to research and find solutions to ensure traffic safety for people and vehicles when participating in traffic on this route./.

Hung Cuong