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Officials clear damaged trucks after a multi-vehicle collision on the Seosan-Yeongdeok Expressway in Sangju, North Gyeongsang. (Photo: Yonhap News) |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) announced on January 11 that it has launched an official audit in response to a multi-vehicle collision on the Seosan-Yeongdeok Expressway on January 10, which left five people dead.
Minister Kim Yun-duk instructed authorities to thoroughly investigate whether relevant regulations and protocols were properly followed, including the Korea Expressway Corporation’s failure to pre-apply de-icing agents.
According to road de-icing guidelines, pre-application of de-icing chemicals is required when forecasts indicate icy conditions due to heavy snow or rain, air temperatures drop below 4°C, road surface temperatures fall below 2°C, or precipitation begins.
The Ministry said the audit will verify all procedures and, if negligence or procedural lapses are found, strict measures will be taken.
The collision occurred around 6:12 a.m. near the Namsangju Interchange, involving 16 vehicles, including overturned trucks. Authorities suspect “black ice” on the road as the primary cause.
The Korea Transportation Safety Authority advised drivers to exercise caution on bridges, tunnel entrances and exits, shaded curves, and slopes during winter, maintaining safe distances, avoiding sudden braking or steering, reducing speed in icy areas, and applying brakes in multiple short presses to prevent accidents.
알파경제 Paul Lee 특파원(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
