Heavy Snow and Cold Wave, Frozen Roads... How to Prevent Traffic Accidents on Icy Roads

Road Traffic Authority Prevention Guidelines
Check Tires, Practice Proper Driving Habits, and Learn How to Handle Unexpected Situations

Road frozen due to heavy snowfall. / Provided by Korea Road Traffic Authority

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The heavy snowfall on the 6th, combined with the ongoing cold wave, has created persistent icy conditions on the roads that are not melting. As the risk of traffic accidents has significantly increased, more careful attention to vehicle maintenance and adherence to safety rules is necessary for safe driving. The Road Traffic Authority provides guidelines to prevent accidents caused by slippery road surfaces.

① Check the tire wear condition in advance.

When the road surface is frosted, icy, or covered with snow, the friction coefficient is lower than on dry roads, making it slippery. If you use the brakes as usual in such conditions, you may not be able to avoid a collision with the vehicle ahead in an emergency. To increase the friction coefficient, you need to check the tire wear condition. If the tires are worn, the grip on the road surface decreases, which can worsen slipping. If necessary, it is recommended to install 'winter tires' that improve traction. In fact, during this heavy snowfall event, a 'Yubimuhwan' review saying "I usually change to winter tires in winter, and this time they really proved their worth" became a hot topic on the internet.

② Basic rules: reduce speed and maintain a safe distance!

If heavy snow falls or ice forms, driving at 50% of the speed limit is the safest option. Since braking distance increases, it is important to keep a sufficient distance from the vehicle ahead and avoid sudden acceleration or braking by smoothly operating the steering wheel and pedals. Special caution is required on road sections prone to icing due to environmental factors such as bridges without sunlight, tunnel entrances and exits, and curved roads, where you should slow down well before entering.

③ If the vehicle slips, don’t panic and steer in the 'same direction'.

No matter how careful you are, the vehicle can slip. However, if you panic and turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction, the vehicle will spin. Stay calm and steer in the direction the tires are slipping to maintain maximum control of the vehicle. Continuously pressing the brake can accelerate the slipping. When braking, apply it slowly in 2 to 3 intervals.

A representative from the Road Traffic Authority stated, “Driving slowly and maintaining a safe distance provide the time and space needed to stop safely in emergencies,” and emphasized, “Especially in winter, when the road surface is slippery, it is important to follow safety rules such as avoiding sudden braking and sudden starts.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.