Need to strictly handle the situation of letting buffalo and cows roam freely, causing traffic safety problems in Nghe An

Clip: Van Truong

Records on National Highway 46, through Nguoc Mountain, Thanh Ngoc Commune, Thanh Chuong District show that the situation of herds of buffaloes following each other for hundreds of meters moving in the middle of the road is no longer strange to people and vehicles participating in traffic. These herds of free-range cattle not only threaten traffic safety but also defecate indiscriminately, spoiling the beauty of the area.

A herd of buffaloes roams freely on National Highway 46, passing through Nguoc Mountain, Thanh Ngoc Commune, Thanh Chuong District, causing traffic congestion. (Photo taken on May 9, 2025). Photo: Van Truong

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, a truck driver who regularly travels here, was upset: “This situation has been going on for a long time. Every day we see buffaloes jostling in the middle of the road, it is very dangerous. It is very difficult for us to move our vehicles. Authorities need to intervene soon to ensure traffic safety.”

Not only causing inconvenience, the situation of letting buffalo and cows roam freely has led to many accidents. Drivers of vehicles, especially motorbikes, when encountering unexpected situations are difficult to handle in time, leading to collisions causing injuries, damage to vehicles, and even property damage to the breeders.

On the section passing Nguoc Mountain, Thanh Ngoc Commune, Thanh Chuong District, buffaloes are often let loose on the road. Photo: Van Truong

In Yen Thanh district, a similar situation is also common. At the intersection of Yen Thanh town, herds of buffalo and cows freely roam right at the traffic lights, causing traffic chaos at times. Mr. Tran Van Tam, a local resident, said: "I saw the herd of cows running around so I proactively stopped my car, but one of them still hit my car, denting the whole shell."

Buffaloes strutted through the traffic light in Yen Thanh town, causing many vehicles to stop and not dare to move. Photo: Van Truong

It is worth mentioning that many accidents are not caused by direct collisions with livestock, but by drivers trying to avoid herds of buffalo and cows, losing control, falling off their bikes, or crashing into other vehicles.

Faced with this alarming situation, many opinions say that drastic intervention from local authorities and relevant agencies is needed. In addition to propaganda and reminding people to raise awareness of livestock farming, strict sanctions should be applied to the act of letting livestock roam freely, causing traffic safety problems.

Buffaloes leisurely walk in the middle of the road in Yen Thanh town, causing traffic congestion and posing a potential risk of accidents. Photo: Van Truong

According to current regulations, leading animals onto the road reserved for motor vehicles is not allowed and will be subject to administrative penalties for this act. Specifically, the 2008 Road Traffic Law stipulates: Animals must not be let loose on the road. Violators will be subject to administrative penalties according to Decree No. 100/2019 of the Government.

In cases where free-roaming animals cause accidents, the owner may also be prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter under Article 128 of the 2015 Penal Code, with the lowest penalty being non-custodial reform for up to 3 years or imprisonment from 1 to 5 years.

AD Advertisement

Source: https://baonghean.vn/can-xu-ly-nghiem-tinh-trang-tha-rong-trau-bo-mat-an-toan-giao-thong-o-nghe-an-10297034.html