Every June, the highest number of wrong-way driving accidents occur on highways... Warning issued

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Highway wrong-way driving accidents occur most frequently during late-night hours in June each year.

According to the National Police Agency on the 29th, from 2019 to 2021, there were about 30 highway wrong-way driving traffic accidents annually over the past three years, with an average of 3.3 fatalities. In particular, in June, the number of deaths from highway wrong-way driving accidents totaled 6, accounting for 60% of the total, making it the highest month. By time, fatal wrong-way driving accidents on highways were concentrated during nighttime hours (8 PM to 8 AM the next day), when visibility is poor. During nighttime, a total of 56 related accidents occurred over three years. All 10 fatalities from wrong-way driving accidents in the three years happened at night.

To prevent accidents, the National Police Agency, along with related organizations such as the Highway Patrol and Korea Expressway Corporation, will conduct enhanced training for responding to wrong-way driving incidents until the 15th of next month. A National Police Agency official explained, "The training involves simulating vehicles on the highway main lanes as in real situations, using traffic breaks to slow down and block main lane vehicles while promptly apprehending wrong-way drivers." A traffic break is a driving method where emergency vehicles zigzag in front of an accident scene to reduce the speed of following vehicles.

The National Police Agency stated, "We are conducting thorough inspections of points of concern for wrong-way driving at interchanges and rest area entrances and exits by analyzing statistics of habitual accident locations," and added, "We have identified a total of 95 safety facilities such as wrong-way prevention devices and road surface markings to be supplemented in the second half of the year." The agency also emphasized, that if a driver accidentally enters the opposite lane on the highway, they should first stop at the nearest refuge area, turn on the hazard lights, evacuate outside the guardrail, and call 112 for rescue. They also requested reports if drivers see confusing signs or roads regarding entry directions.