Chongqing police reported that 22 vehicles’ tires were punctured on the highway- the trucks dropped thumbtacks, ruling out intentional throwing.

On October 8th, the Chongqing Traffic Police shared details about an unusual incident that took place on October 6th at 4:36 PM. A heavy-duty semi-truck, loaded with furniture and parts on its way from Foshan in Guangdong to Chengdu in Sichuan, experienced a mishap when it accidentally dropped a box of thumbtacks onto the G50 Huyu Expressway in Shizhu County. With a maximum load capacity of 32 tons, the truck was actually carrying 24 tons at the time.

The dropped thumbtacks, each about 1 cm long with a 0.9 cm foot and a 1 cm diameter, punctured the tires of 22 cars that were following behind. Fortunately, there were no blowouts or subsequent accidents reported.

Upon learning about the incident, the Chongqing Traffic Police quickly mobilized their resources. They worked closely with the Yudong Company from the expressway group to clear the roadway. Meanwhile, the affected vehicles were promptly compensated at the Zhongzhou service area. By 1 AM on October 7th, all the damaged cars had safely left the highway, ensuring that no hazards remained.

An investigation revealed that the thumbtacks fell due to improper loading and a lack of thorough checks during transport. Importantly, there was no malicious intent involved in this incident. The truck driver, identified as Zhao, was deemed fully responsible and received an administrative fine of 200 yuan under Article 90 of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China. He is also accountable for covering the damages resulting from the incident. Additionally, both the driver and the freight company underwent legal education regarding safety regulations.

Authorities stress the importance of adhering to loading requirements, ensuring cargo is secure to prevent any items from being dropped or scattered, and conducting comprehensive safety checks before setting off. They urge drivers to act swiftly to resolve any issues related to lost cargo during transit in order to minimize safety risks.