In Scorching Heat... Tire Puncture Accidents Increase by 66% When Temperature Exceeds 30 Degrees

Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Announces 'Hot Season Traffic Accident Characteristics Analysis'

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] A study has found that tire puncture accidents caused by heatwaves increase by 66% when the temperature is above 30 degrees Celsius. Since the fatality rate of tire puncture accidents is 12.3 times higher than that of general traffic accidents, special caution is advised while driving.

On the 21st, Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance announced the results of a study analyzing the correlation between tire punctures, discomfort index caused by hot and humid summer conditions, and traffic accidents.

According to an analysis of 233,000 traffic accidents that occurred during last summer (June to August) by Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance’s Traffic Climate Environment Research Institute, tire puncture accidents caused by heatwaves increased by 66% when the temperature was above 30 degrees Celsius compared to when it was below that, and emergency dispatch services for tire replacement also increased by 31%.

In particular, the fatality rate of tire puncture accidents was found to be 12.3 times higher than that of general traffic accidents, and the rate of serious injuries was 3.4 times higher. When heatwaves continue, it is necessary to pay special attention not only to vehicle inspections but also while driving.

Dr. Kim Tae-ho of Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance’s Traffic Climate Environment Research Institute said, "When the temperature is 30 degrees, the road surface reaches about 70 degrees Celsius, causing a standing wave phenomenon transmitted to the tires." He added, "To prevent this, it is necessary to increase tire air pressure by about 10-20% above the standard pressure and frequently check the tire condition, replacing them in advance if worn." The standing wave phenomenon refers to a deformation phenomenon where heat accumulates on the tire contact area during high-speed driving, causing the tire to burst. As summer temperatures rise, asphalt temperatures exceed 50 degrees, increasing the occurrence of tire bursts.

Additionally, to clarify the correlation between drivers’ discomfort index increase and traffic accidents, the institute analyzed nationwide traffic accidents over the past two years (2019-2020). The results showed that accidents increased by 15% when the discomfort index exceeded 80 compared to when it was below 80. On days when the discomfort index was above 80, the most accidents occurred between 2 PM and 4 PM, when the temperature is highest (20.7%), with accidents more frequent among drivers in their 20s (+7.4%p) and 60s (+1.9%p).

Dr. Kim said, "Disputes between drivers or traffic congestion starting from minor discomfort act as psychological factors that hinder safe driving." He added, "Since the correlation between discomfort index and accidents is high during summer vacation season, it is important to maintain a comfortable mindset while driving."

He also urged, "Running the air conditioner for long periods during summer driving increases the risk of drowsy driving accidents." He recommended, "To prevent drowsiness, maintain the air conditioner temperature between 20 and 23 degrees Celsius and ventilate by lowering the window for about 10 minutes every hour."

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