The haunting death road in Que Phong

(Baonghean.vn) - Recently, serious traffic accidents have been occurring frequently on National Highway 16, particularly on the Chuoi slope section running through Que Phong district.

Many locals consider this to be a death road.

A truck overturned while traveling on National Highway 16, at Chuoi Hill, in Muong village, Chau Kim commune. Photo: Hung Cuong

The section of road where accidents frequently occur is National Highway 16, connecting Chau Kim commune to Chau Thon commune in Que Phong district. This section is approximately 6 km long, with the Chuoi Pass section being about 3 km long. It is also the only vital transportation route connecting Kim Son town – the district capital of Que Phong – to the southwestern communes of the district, such as Chau Kim, Tri Le, Nam Nhoong, Chau Thon, Cam Muon, and Quang Phong, including the Vietnam-Laos border area in Tri Le commune. Although the road has been paved for a long time, it still has many steep slopes, sharp turns, and dangerous hairpin bends. The Chuoi Pass section is particularly problematic.

Pu Sai Slope is located in Na Ty village, Chau Thon commune. Photo: Hung Cuong

This stretch of road has seen numerous traffic accidents recently. Trucks, buses, and motorcycles have repeatedly experienced incidents such as rollovers, loss of control, and collisions… some of which were serious and resulted in fatalities. For example, on July 7, 2017, Mr. Lo Van Cuong (27 years old), residing in Tri Le commune, was riding a motorcycle with his wife, Luong Thi Lan, when they collided with a police patrol car from Que Phong district at Chuoi slope (Muong village, Chau Kim commune). Mr. Cuong died on the spot, and Ms. Lan sustained serious injuries.

The accident on July 7th, involving a collision with a traffic police patrol car from Que Phong District Police traveling in the opposite direction, resulted in the death of Mr. Lo Van Cuong. Photo: Hung Cuong

Residents living along the Chau Kim - Chau Thon road section say that car rollovers, motorbike collisions, and accidents due to falls frequently occur there. Previously, on February 22, 2017, a truck carrying bamboo overturned on Chuoi slope, injuring the driver; and on February 5, 2017, a motorbike collision resulted in two injuries.

Local residents also said that the number of people injured or cut on their heads while traveling on this road is countless. "Because the road is narrow, steep, and winding through the mountains and forests, visibility is limited, and the number of people using it is not small, accidents are unavoidable."

After the upgrade, the Chau Kim - Chau Thon road is now more open, but the road surface is littered with gravel, posing an extremely dangerous trap for road users. The photo shows the Pu Sai slope in Na Ty village, Chau Thon commune. Photo: Hung Cuong

Recently, National Highway 16, specifically the Chau Kim - Chau Thon section, has been undergoing upgrades and repairs. The road has become more open and wider. However, this wouldn't be a problem if the construction unit hadn't left a large amount of gravel scattered on the road surface. This is one of the main causes of accidents for road users traveling on this section. Furthermore, some uncompleted sections in Chau Thon commune are frequently eroded by rain, creating dangerous potholes on both sides of the road.

A motorcyclist fell while traveling on National Highway 16, the Chau Kim - Chau Thon section. Photo: Hung Cuong

Mr. Pham Sam Tu, residing in Chau Kim commune, shared: “I ride a scooter, and when going downhill on sharp curves, I often have to brake and put my foot down at the same time because there are so many loose stones that cause the wheels to skid, which is extremely dangerous. I hope the construction unit will pay more attention to road surface treatment to avoid accidents for road users.”

Several sections of the road have been affected by landslides, posing a significant danger to road users. Photo: Hung Cuong

Ms. Mac Thi Hoai from Chau Thon commune said: "I am pregnant, and before, I used to travel along this road. Going slowly was safe, but since the road is almost finished, I don't dare ride my motorbike anymore because I'm afraid of falling. The curves are covered with loose rocks on both sides, making it very dangerous. I have to ask my husband or family members to drive me whenever I need to go to the town."

Based on our observations and the feedback from many people using this road, some sections have sharp curves, limited visibility due to rocky curbs on both sides and trees, and the road surface on these sharp and steep curves is too narrow. If a vehicle loses its brakes or traction and scrapes the road, it will be very dangerous.

It is suggested that the relevant authorities and the government of Que Phong district should study and implement solutions to ensure traffic safety for people and vehicles using this road.

Hung Cuong