Avoid Drinking and Drowsy Driving... Prevent Secondary Accidents Too
Pre-Inspection Needed for Vehicles Facing Summer Heavy Rain and Heat
More than 40 million people are expected to undertake a massive national migration during this Chuseok holiday, both on the way to their hometowns and returning home. The Automobile Citizens' Union has urged safe driving and pre-inspection of vehicles to prevent traffic accidents during the Chuseok holiday.
Absolutely No Drunk or Drowsy Driving... If an Accident Occurs, Prevent Secondary Accidents
First of all, drunk driving, such as driving after drinking ceremonial alcohol, must be strictly prohibited. According to an analysis by the Korea Insurance Development Institute and the General Insurance Association, the number of drunk driving accident victims during the Chuseok holiday period over the past five years increased by about 25% compared to usual times. Drunk driving accidents can lead to casualties, and the financial burden on the at-fault driver is also very high. In the event of a drunk driving accident, the driver may be liable for up to 200 million KRW in accident costs, not just a partial amount, and civil and criminal litigation costs, as well as passenger liability and insurance premiums, can increase by up to 20%.
Equally dangerous as drunk driving is drowsy driving. During the holidays, overeating and fatigue combined with long-distance driving can cause drowsiness due to hypoxia. To prevent this, drivers should ▲ get sufficient sleep the night before driving ▲ open windows to ventilate the interior ▲ stop at nearby drowsy driving rest areas and service stations to rest.
If an accident occurs while driving on the highway, caution must be taken to prevent secondary accidents. Secondary accidents occur when a following vehicle fails to recognize a stopped vehicle due to breakdown or accident and collides with it. According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, from 2017 to 2021, 170 people died in secondary accidents on highways, with a fatality rate of 60%. To prevent secondary accidents, drivers should ▲ turn on hazard lights ▲ move to the shoulder ▲ drivers and passengers should evacuate outside the guardrail ▲ report to the Korea Expressway Corporation call center.
Cars Damaged by Summer Heatwaves and Heavy Rain... "Check in Advance"
Also, since long-distance driving to hometowns can put strain on vehicles, it is important to inspect the vehicle in advance.
First, if the vehicle’s coolant is insufficient, engine overheating can cause overload, leading to fire and vehicle breakdown. Therefore, it is necessary to check in advance whether the coolant level is adequate. Additionally, electric vehicles use insulated dedicated antifreeze to cool the battery or motor, so care must be taken not to mix it with regular automotive antifreeze.
Tire air pressure and wear levels should also be checked. If tire air pressure is not appropriate, steering wheel vibration can make driving dangerous. The proper air pressure is about 80% of the maximum air pressure. Also, if tire wear is severe, the vehicle may slip while driving. If a 100-won coin inserted into the tire groove shows more than half of the coin’s rim or if the tire reaches the wear limit line, it must be replaced immediately.
Besides these, it is advisable to check all inspectable parts such as lighting devices, brakes, engine oil, wipers, and battery in advance. Lim Ki-sang, the representative of the Automobile Citizens' Union, advised, "Cars that endured typhoons, heatwaves, and heavy rain this summer are in a severely worn state, so pre-inspection before departure is the safest approach."
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