Recently, Traffic Police in Da Nang discovered a sleeper bus operating on the Quang Tri - Da Nang route carrying 53 passengers, 15 more than its 38-person design capacity. For many years, during holiday periods, overcrowding, sometimes 1,5 to 2 times the designed capacity, has recurred. This violates transport regulations and creates serious risks for passenger safety.

Increased accident risk

When a bus carries more people than its designed capacity, the vehicle's total mass increases significantly. Greater mass means the vehicle's inertia increases, making acceleration, deceleration, and braking more challenging. In emergencies, such as sudden braking or avoiding obstacles, an overloaded bus needs a longer braking distance than one with a proper load. This reduces driver control and increases collision risk.

Exceeding the design load also strains critical vehicle components such as the suspension, tires, and braking system. When operating under heavy loads for extended periods, these parts may wear out faster or perform less efficiently. For example, tires under greater-than-normal pressure can heat up quickly, increasing the risk of a blowout, especially when traveling long distances or in high temperatures.

Additionally, when a bus is overcrowded, passengers may sit or lie crammed together, blocking aisles. This causes uneven load distribution and shifts the vehicle's center of gravity during travel. Such shifts can destabilize the bus, increasing the risk of skidding or rolling over when cornering.

Passengers face greater danger in emergencies

A 38-seat passenger bus in Nghe An carrying nearly 100 people on the Phap Van - Cau Gie - Ninh Binh expressway in 2021. Photo: Son Ngoc.

A 38-seat passenger bus in Nghe An carrying nearly 100 people on the Phap Van - Cau Gie - Ninh Binh expressway in 2021. Photo: Son Ngoc.

Beyond increasing accident risk, carrying too many passengers can also escalate casualties in an accident. In an overloaded bus, many passengers lie or sit crammed, occupying aisles or spaces between beds. These positions lack seatbelts or stable support. During a collision or sudden braking, passengers easily strike the vehicle's interior, seats, or other people, leading to higher injury risk.

Furthermore, when passenger numbers exceed capacity, movement space within the bus significantly narrows. Aisles between seats become blocked by people or luggage, making movement difficult. In emergencies such as accidents, fires, or rollovers, passengers struggle to escape quickly, causing chaos and increasing casualties.

High passenger density also complicates rescue efforts during an accident. In a cramped space with many people packed together, rescue teams take longer to locate and extract victims. This delay can increase casualties, especially in emergencies requiring rapid response.

To mitigate the risk of traveling in an overcrowded bus, passengers should proactively book tickets with operators committed to not exceeding legal capacity. If catching a roadside bus, they should refuse vehicles that are already full or if drivers actively pick up extra passengers to cram along the way.

Ho Tan