A dashcam-equipped car was passing the Bo Dau toll booth on 24/4 when an unidentified object suddenly dropped directly in front of the vehicle. Fortunately, it did not hit the vehicle directly but became stuck underneath as the car drove over it. This toll booth has been abandoned for many years, showing signs of deterioration and dust accumulation, which creates a safety risk for vehicles and pedestrians passing through.

When driving through areas with dilapidated structures, such as abandoned BOT toll booths, drivers should proactively reduce speed, observe from a distance, and maintain a safe following distance. This allows sufficient time to react if an object falls unexpectedly. Should an obstacle appear directly ahead, it is important to remain calm and avoid sudden steering, which could lead to loss of control. If avoiding the object is not possible, drivers should reduce speed maximally before driving over it.

If infrastructure has been out of use for an extended period, the agencies managing the road where the toll booth is located are responsible for dismantling it to clear the roadway for users. Alternatively, they must implement inspection and maintenance measures to ensure the structure does not deteriorate and, critically, does not collapse unexpectedly.

Pham Hai