These days, on National Highway 12 running through Mường Pồn and Thanh Nưa communes, the situation of people drying paddy on roadbeds and pavements is quite common. Many households spread tarpaulins and sacks right on the road surface, especially at narrow curves, making it difficult for vehicles to circulate, forcing drivers to reduce speed or swerve to avoid them.

Drying agricultural products obstructs traffic and poses a risk of accidents, especially for motorcyclists. More worryingly, many households burn straw on roadsides after harvest, causing thick smoke that obscures the vision of commuters, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon, increasing the risk of traffic accidents.

Nguyễn Trung Nghĩa from Na Sang commune said: “I frequently drive vehicles on National Highway 12 through Mường Pồn commune. Local residents drying agricultural products on the road narrows the traffic lanes, while paddy and straw make the road surface slippery, causing vehicles to easily lose control. On some stretches where people burn straw along the roadside, the smoke is blinding, making it almost impossible to see ahead.”

Local authorities have repeatedly carried out dissemination and issued reminders, but this situation still recurs. The primary reason is that many households do not have large drying yards, while the concrete and asphalt road surfaces are flat and absorb heat well, prompting residents to utilize them to dry agricultural products quickly. However, this convenience comes at the cost of traffic safety risks for the community.

Facing this situation, the Mường Pồn commune People’s Committee has stepped up dissemination and mobilized residents not to dry paddy and straw on roadbeds and pavements, and to refrain from burning straw along roadsides, which causes smoke that obstructs the vision of commuters and vehicles. Residents are also encouraged to proactively arrange appropriate agricultural drying areas within their family land to ensure community safety.

Chairman of the Mường Pồn Commune People’s Committee Nguyễn Văn Lương stated: “We have thoroughly instructed village heads to strengthen dissemination and mobilize residents to comply with traffic safety regulations. Through these efforts, many households have become more aware and neatly dried their paddy within their home yards. However, many families still spread their products across the road surface, obstructing traffic. The locality will increase inspections, issue reminders, and strictly handle cases of intentional violations.”

In Mường Lạn commune, the local government has drastically implemented measures to guarantee traffic safety corridors. Implementing Plan No.791/KH-UBND dated March 12, 2026, of the Mường Lạn Commune People’s Committee on clearing traffic safety corridors and renovating sidewalks and roadways to ensure order and aesthetics in the area, the locality has pushed dissemination to each household regarding the harmful effects of drying agricultural products and burning straw along roadsides. The commune government requires residents not to place obstacles or erect frames, tarpaulins, or other items on traffic roads to dry products, while simultaneously mobilizing people to process straw through appropriate measures instead of burning it near traffic areas.

Vice Chairman of the Mường Lạn Commune People’s Committee Đào Duy Thạch noted: “Currently, the practice of residents utilizing traffic road surfaces to dry paddy and straw after the harvest season remains quite common. This habit poses many risks of causing traffic insecurity and can even lead to accidents. We have directed the commune police force to coordinate with mass organizations and village heads to regularly inspect, disseminate, and remind residents to strictly comply with legal regulations.”

According to the regulations in Article 12 of the Government’s Decree No.168/2024/NĐ-CP, the act of drying paddy, rice, straw, and other agricultural products on roads or placing rice threshing machines on roads can result in a fine ranging from VND 200,000 to VND 250,000 for individual violators. For acts of illegally placing obstacles, pouring slippery substances, or affecting road traffic safety, the fine can reach from VND 6 million to VND 8 million. These regulations aim to raise public awareness of law compliance, contributing to ensuring safety for commuters and vehicles.

The situation of drying agricultural products on roadbeds and pavements and burning straw along traffic routes obstructs travel and poses a very high risk of traffic accidents. Each citizen needs to raise awareness of complying with legal regulations, refrain from encroaching on roadways to dry agricultural products, and stop burning straw that causes smoke, contributing to building a green, clean, beautiful, and safe countryside.