Hidden dangers of turning roads into places for drying rice.

At this time, farmers in the provinceNghe AnAs the spring rice harvest season approaches, the joy of a bountiful harvest fills the countryside. Taking advantage of the sunny weather, people are busy drying the harvested rice and straw.

However, besides many households drying their rice in their yards, many people bring their rice to national highways and inter-district roads to dry it, causing traffic congestion and posing a potential danger to road users.

Along National Highway 1A, the section from Quynh Giang commune (Quynh Luu district) to Dien Truong commune (Dien Chau district) has many unauthorized rice drying spots. Photo: QA

According to our reporter's observations, along National Highway 1A, the section from Quynh Giang commune, Quynh Luu district, extending to Dien Truong, Dien Yen, and Dien Hong communes (Dien Chau district), has been occupied by many households for drying rice. This is a vital road with a high volume of traffic, causing significant difficulties for road users.

Nguyen Quang Lam, a North-South bus driver, said: "The practice of people bringing rice and straw to the highway to dry has been going on for many years. Although we sympathize with them, it's very dangerous for us drivers. Every time we pass by, we have to be careful, steering the vehicle to avoid running over the farmers' rice and dodging obstacles to prevent accidents. Many days during rush hour, the road is congested because we have to avoid the rice drying spots or wait for the farmers to finish raking and clearing before we dare to pass..."

National Highway N2, at its intersection with National Highway 1A in Dien An commune, Dien Chau district, has been completely occupied by people drying rice. Photo: QA

A similar situation occurred on National Highway N2, the section connecting to National Highway 1A. Observations showed that both sides of the road were lined with tarpaulins used by residents to dry rice, stretching for over a kilometer, leaving only a narrow passageway in the middle. Significantly, this is a route used to transport raw materials for the construction of the North-South Expressway, thus posing a considerable danger to road users as well as the farmers drying their rice on the road.

Mr. Hoang Cong Truong - Chairman of the People's CommitteeDien An communeAccording to the report: "Since the N2 National Highway was built, there has been a problem of people drying rice in the open air during harvest season. In fact, the commune has directed the dissemination of information via loudspeakers and assigned the task to the village committees to instruct residents not to encroach on the traffic safety corridor to dry rice. However, some still do not comply. The local authorities have also issued written warnings to a few households, but have not yet imposed penalties, as this is an issue that needs to be resolved harmoniously and reasonably. If the violations are repeated many times, the local authorities will proceed with penalties according to regulations."

It is known that whenever a convoy of trucks carrying materials for the construction of the North-South expressway arrives, Dien An commune widely announces the departure times so that people are aware and can harvest their rice crops, as well as to prevent accidents.

People placing obstacles such as bricks, stones, wood, tree trunks, etc., can cause accidents for pedestrians. Photo: QA

Not only in rural areas but also in Vinh City, people are still occupying roads and sidewalks to dry their rice. According to statistics, the entire city has 1,600 hectares of spring rice, concentrated in suburban communes such as Hung Hoa, Hung Loc, Nghi Lien, Hung Chinh, and some wards like Hung Dung and Dong Vinh. Due to limited land, many households have covered their yards with corrugated iron, so people often dry their rice on various roads, placing many obstacles and posing a danger to pedestrians. The city has now directed wards and communes to strengthen inspections and remind households to absolutely not occupy roads and sidewalks to dry rice.

Drying rice on major roads without proper supervision can easily lead to unfortunate accidents. Photo: QA

The practice of households turning roads into places to dry rice is not new in recent years, but it remains a pressing issue because many accidents have occurred due to collisions with obstacles such as bricks, stones, signs, and tree trunks. More seriously, on some roads, people not only dry rice but also straw, which is easily flammable in hot weather, posing a fire hazard.

Most recently, on May 15th, on National Highway 46, in Thanh Lien commune, Thanh Chuong district, a Toyota Altis car burst into flames after passing through a section of road where straw was being dried, causing significant damage to the homeowner. In previous years, similar incidents of cars catching fire due to straw getting caught under the vehicle have occurred in several localities in the province.

It is clear that drying rice and straw after harvest is a legitimate need of farmers. However, people need to consider and plan the location and time for drying appropriately so as not to affect traffic and the safety of road users.

A car caught fire in Thanh Lien commune, Thanh Chuong district on May 15th while driving through a section of road covered with straw. (Photo: Archival image)

According to Clause 1, Article 12 of Government Decree 46/2014 dated May 26, 2016, on administrative penalties for violations in the field of road and rail transport, individuals and organizations who dry rice, straw, agricultural, forestry, or aquatic products on the road may be fined from 100,000 to 400,000 VND; be required to remove obstacles, remove materials and objects occupying the road surface, and restore the original condition that was altered due to the administrative violation.

In cases of violations that cause loss of life or serious damage to the health or property of others, the offender may be prosecuted for the crime of obstructing road traffic as stipulated in Clauses 1, 2, and 3, Article 261 of the 2015 Penal Code, with a penalty ranging from a fine of 30 to 100 million VND, non-custodial rehabilitation for up to 3 years, or imprisonment from 3 to 7 years; in cases causing very serious or exceptionally serious consequences, the maximum penalty is up to 10 years of imprisonment.