Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Launch All-Out Chuseok Special Traffic Measures

The Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency is launching an all-out response to prevent traffic congestion and accidents during this year's Chuseok holiday period.

Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency. Photo by Byunggeon Kwon

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On September 30, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency announced that it has designated the 11-day period from October 2 to October 12 as the "Chuseok Holiday Special Traffic Control Period," during which a total of 4,210 police personnel and 1,937 vehicles will be deployed. The police stated that "ensuring the safety of residents and alleviating traffic inconveniences will be the top priorities."

This year, the average daily traffic volume in the Gyeongbuk region is expected to reach 586,000 vehicles, a 2.3% increase from last year. Traffic is anticipated to be heaviest on Chuseok day itself, October 6.

Even before the holiday period, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency has deployed advance traffic management personnel at 159 locations, including traditional markets, large supermarkets, cemeteries, and terminals, to ease congestion. Simultaneously, the police are conducting intensive crackdowns on disorderly behaviors such as illegal parking, blocking intersections, and cutting in line.

During the main holiday period, an average of 173 traffic police officers and 92 patrol vehicles and sidecars will be stationed daily at highway entrances and exits, as well as national highway connection points, to ensure smooth traffic flow. In addition, the traffic situation room will operate 24 hours a day to monitor accidents and congestion in real time and respond immediately to emergencies.

Kim Yousik, head of the traffic division at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency, emphasized, "During the Chuseok holiday, traffic volume increases significantly compared to normal days, and even a moment's carelessness can lead to major accidents. We ask drivers to take sufficient breaks at rest areas or drowsy driving shelters every one to two hours during long-distance driving and to drive safely."

The recurring holiday traffic congestion is a major inconvenience and safety risk felt by residents every year. The response strategy announced by the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency this year is noteworthy for its "comprehensive approach, from pre-holiday management to the end of the holiday period." Attention is focused on whether the police's all-out efforts will be able to uphold the value of a "safe journey home" during the holiday.

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