Nghe An: Traffic police and drivers struggle to pick up nails on the road of death

Banana Slope is a section of National Highway 16 running through Chau Kim Commune, Que Phong District (Nghe An). For a long time, this slope has been called the “road of death” by local people because of the frequent occurrence of serious traffic accidents, killing and injuring many people.

Traffic police collect nails on Chuoi slope. Photo: Hung Cuong

On the evening of February 11, 2018, after receiving reports from local residents about vehicles repeatedly hitting nails while passing through the Chuoi slope area, we immediately set off.

At this time, the rain was so heavy that it was difficult to observe, and traffic participants had to strain their eyes to look at the road surface in the hope of avoiding nails. Through observation, the road had quite a lot of nails, including large and small bases - the types commonly used to produce aluminum and glass products.

Mr. Doan Quang Ha, residing in Block 1, Kim Son Town (Que Phong) was changing a tire at Chuoi slope because it got stuck in a nail during a rainy night. Photo: Hung Cuong

When we reached Km 264+500, we met Mr. Duong Tan Dat, a driver of Duc Cuong taxi company (Que Phong), who had to stop his car on the side of the road to check the tires and pick up nails scattered around. Mr. Dat said: "I went up Chuoi slope from the first to the second bend and got 9 nails, I had to call another car to give more tips to the passengers so they could go on time."

The taxi driven by driver Duong Tat Dat had 16 nails stuck in the tire. Photo: Hung Cuong

At the same time, many cars and motorbikes passing this road had their tires pierced with nails. Some cars had nearly 20 nails stuck in their tires. In the rainy night, after 2 hours, we collected nearly 150 screws, including the large-base, sharp-tipped type.

This is not the first time nails have been "spread out on the road". Most people confirm that someone intentionally spread nails on the road, but the motive for doing so remains to be determined by the authorities.

The car of Mr. Vi Van Nam, an official of the People's Committee of Cam Muon commune, had 3 nails on it in 2 days, February 11-12, 2018. Photo: Hung Cuong

150 screws of various types in the author's bag after 2 hours of picking up scattered nails in the "death slope" area. Photo: Hung Cuong

On the morning of February 12, the Traffic Police force - Que Phong District Police conducted inspection and verification from km 260+700 to km 266 of National Highway 16. In more than 3 hours, they collected more than 50 screws of various types.

The owner of a Binh Huu truck in Xom Moi, Chau Thon commune (Que Phong) had to stop and check the tires when he saw many nails on the road. Photo: Hung Cuong

Mr. Le Van Giap - Chairman of Que Phong District People's Committee said that the district has directed the district police force and functional units to coordinate in investigating this situation. In addition, it will strengthen propaganda and dissemination in many forms about the provisions of the Law on Road Traffic Safety.

The Traffic Police Patrol Team - Que Phong District Police checked and collected nails at km266 of National Highway 16 in Chau Thon Commune. Photo: Hung Cuong

Mr. Vi Van Giang - Head of Que Phong District Police said that he has directed criminal, traffic, investigation and commune teams to verify and investigate the above issue.

“We will try our best to get results as soon as possible and at the same time direct relevant units to inspect, collect and clean the above area to ensure safety for people and vehicles, contributing to helping people celebrate Tet safely and happily,” Mr. Giang added.