Are they really accidents?

Some hidden troubles in freight transportation are exposed by several bloody accidents recently, says an article in People's Daily.

Three automobiles are hit by broken brake pads, fragments of dirt boards and objects falling off big lorries on the highway in South China in a three-week period. These uninvited bits of plastic, iron, glass or even rock gallop fly along the busy highways like stray bullets on a battle field.

On June 9, a serious rear-end accident happened on a highway in Anhui province, killing 11 people and injuring 59 people. The cause was simple. The police said straw being burned by farmers nearby sent thick smoke across the road, blocking drivers' ability to see.

Moreover, the smoke from straw burning in Wuhan city and Nanjing city covered the two cities with thick smog and caused serious pollution for local residents.

Burning straw is a conventional practice for farmers at this time of year after harvesting wheat. It not only clears the farmland but also fertilizes the soil with ash.

These accidents and pollution events share one thing in common: Nobody takes responsibility for the lives lost and damage to people's health.

Are they really accidents?

It is already commonly agreed that lorry drivers cannot make money without overloading. The high cost of road tolls, gas and other administration fees leave them no choice. Overloading is proved as the leading cause shortening the life of brake pads and damaging the road.

Burning is the ideal choice for farmers. They have done it for many years. Reportedly, local governments in Nanjing city built gas stations using the straw as a raw material to produce combustion gas. But these stations only operated for a short period of time because the gas they produce was not welcomed by local users. Farmers continued burning straw afterward.

Irresponsible administrations should be blamed. These so-called accidents are all preventable if relevant authorities can take timely action to address the problems. It may involve administrations in various fields. But it is by no means an excuse to let the victims undertake all the losses themselves.

The dead drivers are innocent. The deaths and injuries are the result of man-made causes and malpractice by administrations.

Environmental, transport and other related authorities should take coordinated action to avoid such tragedies. And there should be an accountability system clarifying and punishing the people and departments in charge of these fatal areas concerning the public's security and wellbeing.

Translated by Li Yang