Safety management is not fundamental than completely solving the problem.

The Cause of the Accident: In March of this year, a tragic traffic accident involving 31 fatalities on the Jin-Ji Expressway prompted the Shanxi provincial authorities to issue a one-year ban on all dangerous goods transport vehicles starting from March 5. The decision was made in response to the incident, but it has raised serious concerns about its effectiveness and practicality.

Controversial Question: Is it reasonable to impose a complete ban on dangerous chemicals transport vehicles on high-speed roads? Many argue that such a measure may not only be counterproductive but could also increase risks in other areas of the transportation network.

Practice Has Proven That: Banning the transportation of hazardous materials on highways forces these vehicles onto less regulated township and rural roads, which lack proper traffic control and infrastructure. This shift significantly increases the likelihood of accidents and undermines the very purpose of safety regulations. Therefore, this policy should be reconsidered and revised as soon as possible.

Analysis of the Reasons: First, when dangerous goods vehicles are banned from highways, they are forced to take alternative routes through national, provincial, and county roads. These roads often have poor conditions compared to expressways, with uneven surfaces and limited visibility. Tanker trucks carrying liquid or gaseous hazardous materials are particularly vulnerable to leaks caused by bumps or tire damage due to excessive friction.

Second, many of these alternate routes include numerous non-highway intersections with poor visibility and inadequate signage. This can lead to collisions and other dangerous situations that are more common on these roads than on controlled highways.

Third, most hazardous materials vehicles are heavy-duty trucks requiring specific road conditions for safe operation. County and township roads, especially in mountainous regions like Shanxi, may not meet the necessary standards for such vehicles, increasing the risk of rollovers and other accidents.

Fourth, taking longer, roundabout routes to avoid highways not only increases fuel consumption but also raises the probability of accidents. For example, a recent case involved a hazardous material tanker from Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, which had to take an extra 1,000 kilometers out of its way to avoid the ban in Shanxi. This detour led to unnecessary delays, increased costs, and a higher chance of incidents along the route.

Fifth, most accidents involving dangerous goods transport vehicles are linked to human factors such as driver fatigue, inadequate training, and poor company management, rather than the nature of the highways themselves. There is no evidence that high-speed roads are inherently unsuitable for transporting hazardous materials.

Xiao Bian Concludes: In conclusion, it is strongly recommended that the Shanxi authorities immediately lift the ban on high-speed transportation of dangerous goods. Rather than shifting the problem to other roads, the focus should be on addressing the root causes of accidents—such as improving driver training, enforcing stricter regulations, and enhancing overall safety management. A blanket ban is not a sustainable solution and may even create more risks elsewhere. True safety comes from thoughtful policies that benefit both the public and the transport industry, rather than short-term measures that place greater burdens on local communities and workers.

This site solemnly declares: This article is the original article of China Labor Insurance Network. If you need to reprint, please indicate the source.