From 2020 to the recent five years, there have been a total of 4,112 traffic accidents due to road icing, resulting in 83 deaths and 6,664 injuries. 78% (3,198 cases) of all accidents were concentrated in December and January, and more accidents occurred on clear or cloudy days than on snowy or rainy days.
Black ice, which occurs when snow, rain, and moisture slightly freeze on the road surface, is very dangerous as it is not easily visible to drivers. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety requested special attention to traffic accidents on icy roads, which are likely to occur in winter. They emphasized that on icy roads, the braking distance of vehicles is longer than on dry roads, so a sufficient safety distance should be maintained.
According to the Traffic Accident Analysis System (TAAS) of the Korea Road Traffic Authority, the most frequent time for road icing traffic accidents was between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., when the temperature is low and traffic volume increases during the morning commute, with 798 cases. Additionally, the fatality rate was highest between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., at ‘3.8’. Therefore, it is advisable to check the weather and road conditions before driving in winter.
In particular, it is important to identify habitual icing sections or frequent accident areas in advance to prepare for potential accidents in cold weather. On icy roads, the braking distance of passenger cars can increase up to seven times compared to normal, so it is crucial to maintain a sufficient distance from the car in front. On snowy or icy roads, avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and do not steer abruptly.