According to Cuc CSGT, on the morning of 19/3 on the Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway, a truck broke down and had to make an emergency stop. The driver placed warning cones behind the vehicle, but too close to the rear. The expressway's surveillance camera system detected an unusual sign, after which Doi CSGT duong bo cao toc so 7 arrived to inspect. They measured and determined the warning cones were placed 3.5 m away. Authorities issued a citation to the driver with a fine of 13 million VND, along with a deduction of 6 points from his driver's license, after he admitted the violation.

Authorities measuring the distance of the driver's warning cone placement. Photo: Cuc CSGT

Current regulations state that when a vehicle breaks down on an expressway and must park on a portion of the traffic lane, the driver must turn on hazard lights and place a warning sign or light at least 150 m behind the vehicle. An insufficient distance, as in the aforementioned case, provides almost no early warning, especially when vehicles are traveling at high speeds, making it difficult for drivers to recognize and react to the situation.

When encountering a breakdown on an expressway, drivers need to remain calm and quickly move their vehicle into the emergency lane or close to the roadside edge if no such lane is available, while immediately turning on hazard lights. Afterwards, drivers should carefully observe the rear before exiting the vehicle and placing a warning sign or reflective warning device at a minimum distance of 150 m, increasing this distance in adverse weather conditions or on blind curves.

In practice, to estimate this distance, drivers can gauge it by foot, with an average adult stride being about 0.7-0.8 m, equivalent to about 180-220 steps to reach the 150 m mark. While walking to place the warning sign, drivers must absolutely avoid moving in the active traffic lane, prioritizing walking along the outer edge of the road or outside the guardrail to ensure safety. Multiple cones should be placed at intervals.

If a breakdown occurs at night or in poor lighting conditions, drivers can use a phone's flashlight to increase their visibility from a distance. Additionally, carrying a reflective safety vest helps vehicles behind easily spot them, reducing the risk of collisions.

On the Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway, the management unit has pre-arranged warning cone clusters along the route to assist vehicles in distress.

Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway equipped with cones for emergency stops. Video: Ho Tan

Pham Hai