A driver equipped with a dashcam experienced a disorienting incident on 29/12 in Yen Binh when tons of corn kernels suddenly spilled from the back of a truck onto a highway. Traveling in a lane with a maximum speed limit of 90 km/h, the driver's vision was completely obscured by the sudden downpour of corn. It took nearly 30 seconds for the driver to regain clear sight of the road.

Fortunately, no accident occurred. However, the vast quantity of spilled corn created hazardous conditions, making it difficult for other vehicles to navigate that section of the highway.

The incident highlights the critical importance of proper cargo securement for drivers. When transporting goods, especially on highways where vehicles travel at high speeds, drivers must ensure all cargo is carefully secured. Failure to do so can lead to unexpected and dangerous situations for other road users, as demonstrated by the corn spill.

Vietnamese law addresses such violations with strict penalties. Decree 168/2024 mandates fines ranging from two to four million VND for drivers who transport materials or goods without adequate covering, or whose covering fails to prevent spillage onto the road. Violating drivers are also required to clean up the spilled cargo and restore the road to its original condition. If spilled cargo leads to a traffic accident, offenders face significantly higher fines of 30 to 35 million VND, a deduction of four points from their driver's license, and liability for compensation for damages incurred.

Nguyen Vu