Over recent times, the issue of heavy trucks, especially dump trucks, operating during restricted hours on various roads in Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai, has become quite prevalent. Despite efforts by authorities to implement measures such as installing prohibition signs, increasing patrols, and imposing fines, violation rates show no signs of decreasing. This situation not only jeopardizes traffic safety and increases congestion risks but also seriously affects the lives of residents. This article by Xe Tải Mỹ Đình delves into the reality of the “1-ton truck 25-hour ban” (a common local term referring to time-based road restrictions for trucks, although regulations may vary regarding weight limits and specific times), prohibited routes, restricted hours, causes of violations, and solutions to improve the situation.
Dump truck carrying construction materials without cover on Bui Huu Nghia street in Bien Hoa, illustrating truck ban violations.
Alarming Reality: Trucks Still “Carelessly” Enter Restricted Zones
Despite the Bien Hoa City Urban Management Department’s adjustments, additions, and new installations of truck prohibition signs on numerous routes, violations continue to occur blatantly. Key routes include:
- Nguyen Ai Quoc Street: Section from Hoa An Bridge to the intersection with National Highway 1, trucks over 5 tons are prohibited from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
- Pham Van Thuan Street: Trucks over 5 tons are prohibited from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM; trucks over 2 tons are prohibited during the hours of 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
- Dong Khoi Street: Section from Tan Phong intersection to Amata intersection, trucks over 2 tons are prohibited during the hours of 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
- Bui Van Hoa Street: Trucks over 2 tons are prohibited from 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
- Other inner-city routes: Phan Trung, Truong Dinh, Ly Van Sam, Le Quy Don, Nguyen Phuc Chu, Dang Duc Thuat, Nguyen Bao Duc… trucks over 5 tons are prohibited from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
- Bui Huu Nghia Street: Section from Ong Tiep Bridge to Tan Van Bridge, trucks over 5 tons are prohibited during the hours of 4:00 AM – 8:00 AM, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
- Huynh Van Nghe Street: (From Bien Hoa City to Vinh Cuu District) trucks over 2 tons are prohibited during the hours of 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
Statistics from 2020 show that traffic inspectors handled 92 cases of vehicles entering restricted roads and 532 cases of trucks carrying construction materials causing spillage. However, these numbers still do not fully reflect the severity of the problem, as violations occur daily, causing public outrage.
“Hotspots” of Violations and the Suffering of Residents
Bui Huu Nghia and Huynh Van Nghe streets are among the “hotspots” for truck violations during restricted hours. According to residents’ phản ánh (feedback/complaints), hundreds of dump trucks travel on Bui Huu Nghia Street daily, especially those carrying construction materials.
Mr. Le Van Quan, a resident of Tan Hanh ward, expressed his frustration: “Dump trucks run noisily, without proper covering, causing soil and gravel to spill, and dust to fly everywhere. Many trucks also drive recklessly, encroach lanes, and overtake dangerously, endangering motorbikes and bicycles. Despite the prohibition signs, the situation has not improved.”
Similarly, on Huynh Van Nghe Street, despite prohibition signs, many dump trucks blatantly operate during restricted hours. Residents have repeatedly reported to the authorities but have not seen effective solutions.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Oanh, residing in KP.2, Buu Long Ward, proposed: “Bien Hoa City needs to direct functional forces to increase patrols, inspections, and set up regular checkpoints to strictly handle cases of trucks violating restricted hours. More decisive action is needed to ensure safety for residents.”
Synchronous Solutions and Strict Penalties
Limiting heavy trucks during peak hours is a necessary solution to ensure traffic safety, reduce congestion, and improve the living environment in Bien Hoa City. However, for this solution to be effective, synchronous coordination between functional agencies and compliance from transport businesses and truck drivers is required.
Chairman of Bien Hoa City People’s Committee, Nguyen Huu Nguyen, affirmed that the city has worked with relevant units to develop solutions to address traffic safety issues caused by trucks. Bien Hoa City Police have been requested to increase patrols, ensure traffic order and safety, especially on routes with complex violation situations such as Bui Huu Nghia Street.
Deputy Chief Inspector of Traffic (Department of Transport) Nguyen Cong Dang stated that traffic inspectors have implemented drastic measures to strictly handle violations. Traffic inspectors have coordinated with traffic police to establish weight control stations and increase patrols and inspections along routes to promptly detect and handle violations.
“In the near future, the handling of violating vehicles entering restricted roads will be implemented even more drastically. Traffic inspectors will closely monitor routes to rectify the situation. All violations must be strictly handled according to regulations,” emphasized Mr. Nguyen Cong Dang.
Xe Tải Mỹ Đình advises transport businesses and truck drivers to raise their awareness of traffic law compliance and strictly adhere to regulations on restricted hours and weight limits. Simultaneously, we hope that functional agencies will continue to strengthen inspection and violation handling measures, ensuring traffic order and safety, and peaceful lives for the people of Bien Hoa, Dong Nai.
