Korea Expressway Corporation announced on the 14th that it will implement a snow removal plan on highways from the 15th of this month until March 15th of next year to prepare for traffic accidents caused by heavy snowfall and icy roads during the winter season.
The Corporation plans to strengthen its heavy snowfall response system and proactively prepare for icy roads by deploying 260,000 tons of snow removal materials, which is 1.4 times the average usage over the past three years, along with 2,479 dedicated personnel and over 1,000 pieces of equipment. It will establish a consultative body with related organizations such as regional offices of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in each jurisdiction to share the status of snow removal operations, personnel, and equipment.
In regions expected to receive heavy snowfall, including Gangwon, the West Coast, the Seoul Metropolitan Area, Chungbuk, and Chungnam, small snow removal vehicles capable of passing accident sites or congested sections via the shoulder will be operated. The Corporation also stated that it has prepared throw-type snow removal materials in the form of hot packs at all jurisdictional branches to respond to situations where snow removal vehicle operations are difficult.
Additionally, it will secure public communication channels according to weather conditions and expand facilities such as brine spraying devices and anti-icing installations. When road surface temperatures fall below 2℃, air temperatures below 4℃, or adverse weather conditions such as heavy snow, heavy rain, fog, or frost are expected, snow removal agents will be pre-applied and patrols will be intensified.
Furthermore, based on weather warnings, the Corporation will use traffic broadcasts and electronic road signs to inform drivers about heavy snowfall forecast areas, the installation of winter equipment, and mainline traffic detours. If traffic control is implemented, disaster text messages will be immediately sent to nearby areas.
The Corporation emphasized that safe driving by drivers is also crucial to prevent highway accidents during winter. According to braking distance experiments conducted by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, at a driving speed of 60 km/h, the braking distance on icy roads increases by 4.9 times for passenger cars and 7.5 times for trucks compared to dry roads.
Therefore, the Corporation urged drivers to reduce their speed by 20-50% of the maximum speed and maintain more than twice the usual distance between vehicles when road icing occurs due to adverse weather. It also advised preparing winter equipment such as winter tires in advance.
A representative from the Corporation said, "We will do our best to create safe highways from heavy snowfall during the winter season," and added, "Even after snow removal operations, braking distances on snowy roads may increase, so we ask drivers to drive safely."
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