The Traffic Police Department argues that trees planted in highway medians pose a safety risk. Watering trucks must drive in the innermost lane to reach them, increasing the chance of collisions. The department suggests that highways should only use anti-glare netting. Roadside trees should be planted further back to prevent hazards from falling branches during storms.

Many Vietnamese highways currently have trees planted in the medians to provide shade and enhance the landscape. However, newer highways primarily use anti-glare netting. This approach reduces the risk of accidents involving maintenance vehicles, minimizes the danger of falling trees during storms, and is a cost-effective safety measure adopted by many countries.

Anti-glare netting installed on the Hoa Lien - Tuy Loan highway. Photo: Nguyen Dong

Anti-glare netting installed on the Hoa Lien - Tuy Loan highway. Photo: Nguyen Dong

At approximately 9:20 AM on 15/9, a limousine traveling over 90 km/h on the Phap Van - Cao Bo - Mai Son - National Highway 45 collided with a watering truck in the median, causing the truck to overturn. A 45-seat passenger bus carrying foreign nationals swerved onto the frontage road, and a pickup truck, unable to brake in time, crashed into the limousine. The accident injured at least 8 people, one critically.

Preliminary findings indicate the cause was the limousine driver's inattention, speeding, and failure to maintain a safe distance. The Traffic Police Department is also investigating whether the watering truck, driving in the leftmost lane, displayed proper safety warnings.

Viet An