According to a report from the Chinese Consulate General in Luang Prabang on July 22, recently, there was another truck overturning accident on the 9-kilometer mountain section of Route 22 in Mon Nam Village, Luang Prabang Province ( locally known as “Bandit Mountain”). Two Chinese citizens were unfortunately killed in this accident, which is truly tragic. The Chinese Consulate General in Luang Prabang has provided necessary consular assistance to the families of the victims.
The entire Laos has entered the rainy season, and continuous heavy rainfall has increased the safety risks on mountain roads. The Mengnan Village section has steep slopes and sharp bends, severely damaged roads, and becomes slippery after rain, making it a high-risk area for accidents. The Consulate General once again reminds Chinese citizens in the region to enhance their safety awareness and ensure driving safety.
1. Pay close attention to weather conditions and road conditions during the rainy season, and plan your travel routes carefully.
In Laos, the rainy season occurs from May to October each year. There are frequent short-term heavy rains, and mountainous areas are prone to problems such as road flooding, falling rocks, landslides, and roadbed collapses. It is essential to check local weather conditions and road conditions before traveling. It is advisable to postpone or cancel long-distance trips in mountainous areas during periods of heavy rain or dense fog. Do not choose to travel through high-risk mountain areas like Monnam Village at night unless necessary. Freight operators should prioritize daytime travel and avoid driving in periods with poor visibility, such as early morning and late night.
2. Conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle before driving, and ensure that all safety equipment is available.
(1) For trucks and heavy vehicles, pay special attention to checking the braking systems, water-cooling systems for brakes, and the degree of tire wear. During the rainy season, it is recommended to replace tires with anti-slip ones to prevent brake overheating failures and tire burst emergencies.
(II) Check the car lights, windshield wipers, and reflective signs. Carry a triangular warning sign, anti-slip tools, and first aid kits with you.
(III) Ensure that driving licenses, vehicle registrations, insurance, and other necessary documents are complete and valid. Do not drive without a license or with expired documents.
III. Drive carefully along dangerous mountain roads, avoiding any dangerous maneuvers.
(1) When driving through continuous steep slopes and sharp bends in Mengnan Village, etc., maintain a low speed throughout the journey. It is strictly prohibited to exceed the speed limit, occupy other lanes to overtake, or overtake on curves. When descending slopes, control the speed evenly, relying on engine braking to avoid prolonged braking that could lead to braking failure.
(II) All personnel must wear seat belts throughout the journey, maintain a sufficient safe distance from large trucks, and signal with a horn in advance when encountering bends.
(III) It is strictly prohibited to drive under fatigue conditions, carry excessive loads, or mix passengers and cargo in the vehicle. For long-distance transportation, it is recommended that drivers be rotated by pairs. On muddy and slippery roads after rain, avoid sudden acceleration, braking, or sharp steering movements to prevent the vehicle from tipping over.
4. Strictly abide by local traffic regulations in Laos, drive in a civilized and compliant manner.
Obey Lao customs strictly, avoid serious traffic violations such as drunk driving, drug driving, driving in the reverse direction, and running red lights; park vehicles properly, without occupying lanes on curves, slopes, bridgeheads, or intersections; carry a valid local Lao driver’s license and cooperate actively with local traffic police inspections.
5. In case of danger, handle things calmly and seek rescue promptly.
During driving, in case of road collapse, vehicle breakdown, or traffic accidents, immediately move the vehicle to a safe area and set up a warning at the scene. People should quickly evacuate to a safe area along the road. Do not stay in curves or steep slopes. Please call the local police and emergency services in Laos immediately, and also contact the Consulate General for consular assistance.
Chinese Foreign Ministry 24-hour Global Consular Protection Hotline: +86-10-12308 or +86-10-65612308
China Consulate General in Luang Prabang Consular Protection Hotline: 071-212989
Consulate Email: lp@csm.mfa.gov.cn
China Embassy in Laos Consular Protection Hotline: 021-315105 or 315100
Consulate Email: vientiane@csm.mfa.gov.cn
Lao Wa Emergency Services: 1191
Medical First Aid: 1195
Tourism Police: 1192
