The government is securing 660,000 tons of de-icing agents and over 8,200 pieces of equipment to prevent traffic accidents caused by heavy snowfall and black ice during the winter months. It will also enhance safety facilities in areas at high risk of freezing and increase nighttime patrols as part of its proactive response.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on November 10, the government has designated the period from November 15 to March 15 of the following year as the winter road de-icing measures period and will operate a 24-hour comprehensive de-icing situation room. The ministry reported these winter traffic safety measures during a cabinet meeting.
To prepare for localized heavy snowfall, the government will secure approximately 660,000 tons of de-icing agents, which is more than 130% of the average usage over the past five years, along with over 8,200 pieces of equipment and 6,000 personnel. Equipment and personnel will be pre-deployed to 264 highways and national roads that experience frequent heavy snowfall or high traffic volumes, based on weather forecasts.
The emergency response level for preventing black ice accidents will also be elevated. The response stage will be raised from 'attention' to 'caution,' and nighttime patrols and monitoring will be intensified at 492 vulnerable freezing points. Special checks for freezing risks will be conducted from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. the following day, with de-icing agents applied as necessary.
By the end of this month, 32 road heating systems and 89 brine spraying facilities will be expanded at 121 vulnerable freezing points. Variable speed cameras that encourage vehicles to slow down in freezing areas will also be gradually expanded, starting with 14 locations this year.
The government will enhance road information provided to drivers. Navigation services such as Kakao Navi, T-map, Atlan, and Naver Maps will guide users through areas at risk of freezing, while electronic road signs will display weather conditions, road status, and the deployment status of de-icing vehicles.
Kim Hyo-jung, head of the Road Bureau at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, "Black ice is often not visible, which increases the risk of major accidents. We urge drivers to maintain sufficient safe distances and reduce speeds by 20% to 50% on icy roads."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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