The hidden dangers of turning roads into places to dry rice

At this time, farmers in the provinceNghe AnSpring rice harvest is in full swing, the joy of a bumper crop is bustling throughout the countryside. Taking advantage of the sunny weather, people are gathering to dry the rice and straw after harvest.

However, besides many households drying rice in their yards, there are many people who bring rice to national highways and inter-district roads to dry rice, causing traffic obstruction and potential danger to passersby.

On National Highway 1A, from Quynh Giang Commune (Quynh Luu) to Dien Truong Commune (Dien Chau), many spontaneous rice drying spots have appeared. Photo: QA

According to the reporter's records, on National Highway 1A, the section from Quynh Giang commune, Quynh Luu district extending to Dien Truong, Dien Yen, Dien Hong communes (Dien Chau) these days has been occupied by many households as a place to dry rice. This is a major road with a large volume of traffic, causing many difficulties for road users.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Lam - a driver of a North-South passenger bus said: "People have been bringing rice and straw to the National Highway to dry for many years now. Although we sympathize with the people, it is also very dangerous for us drivers. Every time we pass, we have to be careful, both to control the vehicle so as not to run over the people's rice and to avoid obstacles to avoid accidents. Many days during rush hour, the road is congested because we have to avoid the rice drying spots or wait for people to finish raking and clearing before daring to pass...".

National Highway N2, intersecting with National Highway 1A in Dien An Commune, Dien Chau District, is completely occupied as a rice drying area. Photo: QA

A similar situation occurred on National Highway N2, the section connecting to National Highway 1A. According to observations, people had spread tarps on both sides of the road to dry rice, stretching over 1 kilometer, leaving only a small path in the middle. It is worth mentioning that this is a route for transporting raw materials for the construction of the North-South Expressway, so it poses many potential dangers to road users as well as farmers drying rice on the road.

Mr. Hoang Cong Truong - Chairman of People's CommitteeDien An communesaid: "Since the formation of National Highway N2, there has been a situation where people bring rice out to dry every harvest season. In fact, the commune has directed propaganda on loudspeakers, assigned tasks to hamlet executive committees to thoroughly educate people not to encroach on traffic safety corridors to dry rice, however, some still do not comply. The locality has also drawn up minutes to remind a few households, but has not yet imposed fines, because this is also an issue that must be resolved harmoniously and reasonably. If the violation is repeated many times, the locality will proceed to impose fines according to regulations."

It is known that every time there is a convoy of trucks carrying materials for the construction of the North-South Expressway, Dien An commune widely announces the vehicle's running time so that people know to collect rice and avoid accidents.

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

Not only in the countryside but also in Vinh city, there is still a situation where people occupy roads and sidewalks to dry rice. According to statistics, the whole 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 such as Hung Dung, Dong Vinh. Due to limited land, many households have covered their yards with corrugated iron, so people often bring rice out to dry on many roads, placing many obstacles, causing danger to road users. Currently, the city has also directed wards and communes to increase inspections and remind households to absolutely not occupy roads and sidewalks to dry rice.

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

The situation of households turning roads into places to dry rice is not new in recent years, but it is always hot because in reality, there have been many accidents when colliding with obstacles such as bricks, stones, signs, tree trunks, etc. More seriously, on some roads, in addition to drying rice, people also dry straw, which can easily catch fire in hot weather, creating a potential fire hazard.

Most recently, on May 15, on National Highway 46, through Thanh Lien Commune, Thanh Chuong District, a Toyota Altis car caught fire after passing through a road where straw was dried, causing heavy damage to the homeowner. In previous years, the situation of cars catching fire due to straw being caught under the chassis also appeared in some localities in the province.

It can be seen that drying rice and straw after harvest is a legitimate need of farmers. However, people need to consider and calculate the location and reasonable drying time so as not to affect traffic and the safety of passersby.

A car caught fire in Thanh Lien commune, Thanh Chuong district on May 15 while passing through a straw road. Photo courtesy

According to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 12, Decree 46/2014 dated May 26, 2016 of the Government on administrative sanctions for violations in the field of road and railway traffic, individuals and organizations that dry rice, paddy, straw, stubble, agricultural, forestry and seafood products on the road may be fined from 100,000 to 400,000 VND; forced to clear obstacles, clear materials and objects occupying the road surface and restore the original state that has been changed due to the administrative violation.

In case of violation causing loss of life or serious damage to the health or property of others, the violator may be prosecuted for the crime of obstructing road traffic as prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, 3, Article 261, Penal Code 2015, with a fine of 30 - 100 million VND, non-custodial reform for up to 03 years, or imprisonment from 03 - 07 years; in case of causing very serious or especially serious consequences, the highest penalty is up to 10 years in prison.