South Korean authorities are urging drivers to exercise extreme caution and perform vehicle safety checks during a three-day holiday period marked by heavy rain [1].
These warnings come as hazardous conditions, including reduced visibility and road flooding, increase the risk of hydroplaning and traffic accidents across the national road network [1].
Vehicle maintenance is a primary concern for safety officials. Kim Pil-soo, a professor of Future Automotive Engineering at Daelim University, said that tire tread depth is critical for maintaining grip on wet roads. He said that when tread depth falls below 1.6 mm [1], vehicles are susceptible to hydroplaning, which can cause a car to slide or spin even when the driver attempts to brake.
Drivers are advised to monitor the road for potholes, which often become hidden under flooded surfaces. To mitigate the risk of collisions, YTN reporter Kim Dae-geun said that drivers should reduce their speed by at least 20% during normal rain [1]. In cases of heavy rain, that speed reduction should increase to 50% or more [1].
Maintaining a safe gap between vehicles is also essential for preventing pileups in low-visibility conditions. Kim said that the following distance between cars should be at least double the normal distance [1]. Additionally, drivers are warned to remain vigilant regarding vehicle submersion in flooded areas [1].
Experts recommend that anyone with worn tires replace them immediately to ensure safety during the holiday travel surge.
“Tire tread depth less than 1.6 mm can cause hydroplaning.”
The combination of a national holiday travel surge and severe weather creates a high-risk environment for South Korean motorists. By focusing on specific technical thresholds—such as the 1.6 mm tread limit—authorities are attempting to reduce the incidence of hydroplaning, a leading cause of loss-of-control accidents during monsoon-level precipitation.
