Concerns about traffic accidents at 'Ong Dieu intersection'

Pointing to the newly healed scars on her arms and legs, Ms. Le Thi Anh Lam (Cua Lo Town) still shudders as she recounts a recent motorbike accident: “That day I was coming home late from work, and it was raining. I was traveling from my company in the Nam Cam Industrial Zone towards Cua Lo Town, near the roundabout at the intersection of National Highway 46 and Provincial Road 536 (also known as Ong Dieu intersection), when I fell off my motorbike. Luckily, I fell right in front of a cafe, so there was some light coming from inside, and someone came out to help me up.”

It's not just Ms. Anh Lam; many workers and laborers are doing the same.Nam Cam Industrial ZoneHaving experienced similar situations before, Ms. Xuan Hoang (Nghi Loc) further shared: “The road from this roundabout to the Nam Cam Industrial Zone is pitch black, not very wide, while there are many large trucks and container trucks driving recklessly. Many times, smaller vehicles have to pull over to the side and wait for the trucks to pass before daring to continue. Every time I pass through here at night, I am very scared.”

“The roads at this roundabout are very complicated. The road is wide but lacks streetlights and traffic lights, severely limiting visibility. On rainy and windy days, wearing a raincoat restricts visibility, and with cars turning on their headlights, the road becomes flooded, making it very difficult to see and avoid obstacles. That’s why people call this the ‘death intersection.’ Every time I pass through here, I have to honk loudly to feel safer,” said Ms. Khanh Huyen (Cua Lo Town) indignantly.

It's not hard to understand the public's frustration. The roundabout at the intersection of National Highway 46 and Provincial Road 536 leading up to the Nam Cam Industrial Zone has been a traffic accident hotspot for many years. With thousands of workers and laborers commuting daily, and numerous large trucks passing through, this section of road lacks lighting. The absence of houses along either side of the road makes this already dark stretch even more isolated.

This situation has been repeatedly reported to the authorities at various levels, especially during the meeting and dialogue between the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and workers in 2022. Following numerous complaints from workers, lighting was installed in the area. Specifically, the section of Provincial Road 536 near the Nguyen Xi Mausoleum was equipped with streetlights, and high-pressure lamps were installed around the roundabout. However, although the lights were installed a long time ago, they have yet to be put into use. The "dark" condition of this intersection remains unchanged.

“The roads to Vinh, Cua Lo Port, and Cua Lo Town are all brightly lit, but the intersection at Ong Dieu – the place that needs the most lighting – is pitch black. Accidents happen constantly on this road, making us live in constant fear. Workers' lives are already difficult; they only work overtime, leave early and return late, accepting the dangers to earn extra income. We sincerely hope that the relevant agencies and departments will soon direct the resolution of this issue,” said Ms. Anh Lam.

During a recent meeting of trade union officials from the business sector organized by the Provincial Federation of Labor, issues related to transportation infrastructure around the Nam Cam Industrial Zone were once again raised. Accordingly, understanding...thoughts and aspirationsOn behalf of the workers, many union officials have requested that authorities implement solutions to address shortcomings leading to traffic safety issues, so that workers can feel safe commuting to work on rainy days and at night, minimizing traffic accidents.