On the evening of 17/10, Hai Van Ward Police announced that earlier that afternoon, in coordination with the Hoa Hiep Checkpoint Traffic Police Station, they had summoned six women who appeared in a social media video for questioning. The six women, all residents of Phu Loc commune, Hue City, had rented a car to visit Hai Van Pass on the morning of 17/10. Upon reaching a specific section of the pass, the group asked the driver to stop and then walked into the middle of the road at a curve to pose for photos around 8:30 AM, while vehicles were still passing through the area.

During the session with authorities, all six women admitted to sitting on the road for photos. The task force then fined each woman 250,000 dong, totaling 1,5 million dong, for illegally gathering and sitting on a roadway, thereby obstructing traffic.

Hai Van Pass is a mountainous route characterized by steep terrain, numerous curves, and several points with limited visibility. Vehicles navigating these curves may not spot obstacles ahead from a distance. A driver's speed and reaction time depend heavily on road conditions, weather, and traffic density.

When individuals stop, sit, or pose directly on the roadway, they not only risk being struck by vehicles but also create unexpected hazards for drivers. This can lead to sudden braking or swerving, increasing the risk of collisions with other vehicles.

Hai Van Ward Police advise residents against using sightseeing, tourism, or photography as excuses to gather, sit, or lie in the middle of the road, as this obstructs traffic. Vehicle operators are also cautioned not to arbitrarily stop or park on curves, steep sections of the pass, areas with limited visibility, or any location that poses a potential accident risk.

The group of women who sat in the middle of Hai Van Pass working with Da Nang police. *Photo: Hai Van Ward Police*

Hai Dang