At least 43 motorists travelling on Motorway No.7 in Chachoengsao on Friday needed tyre repairs after running over screws spilled from a pickup truck with improperly secured cargo.
The truck driver reported to investigators at the On Nut police station in Bangkok later in the day to acknowledge responsibility.
Police were alerted at 12.50pm on Friday, after construction screws were found scattered across the outbound lanes of the M7 near kilometre marker 39 in Bang Pakong district.
Numerous vehicles had run over the materials and their tyres were damaged.
The Department of Highways reviewed CCTV video and worked with police investigators to identify the vehicle involved.
The driver, identified only as Siriporn, said he had been transporting construction materials from Samut Sakhon to Rayong.
He later realised that a box containing 19mm self-drilling screw heads had fallen from the rear of the pickup.
Some of the fallen screws collected from the motorway on Friday. (Photo: Department of Highways)
Police have charged the driver with failing to properly secure the cargo, allowing it to fall onto the roadway and endanger people or property, under the Land Traffic Act.
The Department of Highways said on Saturday that 43 vehicles affected by the incident had sought repairs at two tyre service centres near the Bang Pakong exit.
Authorities are continuing to collect information to verify the total number of damaged vehicles. Affected motorists are advised to file a police report and submit evidence at the On Nut station to claim compensation.
The driver’s insurance company will work with the parties involved to cover all the damages, police said.
Pol Gen Samran Nualma, a deputy national police chief, also warned motorists to properly secure and cover their loads to ensure the safety of all road users.
Those who fail to take such precautions and allow cargo to fall, leak or be blown onto the road are liable to legal penalties, he said.
