"Death" intersection on National Highway 1A in Nghe An

Although nearly 9 months have passed, Mr. Nguyen Ba Suu in Hamlet 3, Nghi Long Commune still cannot forget the sudden passing of his wife. On the morning of May 9, 2017, his wife, Ms. T., after picking vegetables, was passing the intersection of N5 Road and National Highway 1A when she was hit head-on by a truck, the strong impact killing her on the spot.

This loss has pushed Mr. Suu's family into a very difficult situation. Mr. Suu sighed: My wife died at the intersection of N5 road, and it was so close to home that I could not have imagined it. I hope that the authorities will soon have a solution to prevent the increase in traffic accidents, and not let a heartbreaking incident like my family happen again.

There are no traffic lights, traffic is extremely chaotic and dangerous at the intersection of N5 and National Highway 1A. Photo: Quang An

N5 intersection with National Highway 1A is located in Nghi Long commune, Nghi Loc district. After nearly a year of use, people have named it the "death" intersection. This is based on the fact that in a short time, there have been many consecutive traffic accidents in this area, making people feel insecure and worried every time they have to pass through here.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga in Hamlet 3, Nghi Long Commune said: "My house is next to this intersection so I see accidents happen frequently, from minor collisions to serious fatalities. This is truly a dangerous road for road users."

Many people gamble with their lives every time they cross the N5 crossroads of death. Photo: Quang An

According to Mr. Son, the owner of a passenger bus running the Thanh Hoa - Ho Chi Minh City route, National Highway 1A has a heavy traffic volume, and intersects with the N5 material transport route, which is full of heavy trucks and has no traffic lights, so it is extremely dangerous. We drivers are also very worried every time we pass this intersection.

After the N5 route was completed and put into use in April 2017. Up to now, on average, at this point every month there are about 10 traffic collisions, injuring dozens of people, including 2 deaths. There have even been 2-3 traffic collisions at this intersection on peak days.

Heavy trucks carrying materials are a constant fear for traffic participants here. Photo: Quang An

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Dung - Chairman of Nghi Long Commune People's Committee said: "Nghi Long people are very upset, confused and insecure about the traffic accident situation at the intersection of N5 road. We have repeatedly proposed to the Provincial and District Traffic Safety Committee to study the installation of traffic lights at the intersection of N5 road with National Highway 1A and soon open N5 road to the railway to facilitate children working in Nam Cam Industrial Park".