January 14, 2025: Massive 105-Vehicle Pileup in Goyang
Early this morning, a devastating series of accidents occurred on Jayuro and the Seoul-Munsan Expressway in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, involving a total of 105 vehicles and injuring 16 people. Authorities identified “black ice,” a hazardous road icing phenomenon, as the primary cause of the accidents.
The accidents were divided into three major incidents:
- First Accident: Around 5:15 AM near Gusanjeon Interchange (IC) on Jayuro, heading toward Paju, 44 vehicles, including trucks, buses, and passenger cars, collided.
- Second Accident: Around 5:50 AM near the Goyang Junction on the Seoul-Munsan Expressway, 43 vehicles were involved in a pileup, leaving one person seriously injured and 12 others with minor injuries.
- Third Accident: Around 6:40 AM near Heungdo IC on the Seoul-Munsan Expressway, 18 more vehicles collided, resulting in two additional injuries.
Emergency responders shut down sections of the affected roads to clear the accidents and applied calcium chloride to ice-covered stretches, causing significant traffic congestion in the area.
What is Black Ice?
Black ice refers to a thin layer of transparent ice that forms on road surfaces, making them extremely slippery and hazardous.
- Causes: It typically forms when temperatures drop below freezing, causing rain or melted snow to refreeze on roads. It is most common in shaded areas, bridges, tunnels, and curves.
- Dangers: Black ice is nearly invisible, often catching drivers off guard. Sudden braking or steering adjustments on black ice can easily lead to loss of vehicle control, causing accidents.
Notable Black Ice Accidents
- December 2019, Changnyeong, South Korea
A catastrophic accident on the Gyeongbu Expressway in Changnyeong involved 21 vehicles, resulting in 7 fatalities and 32 injuries. The incident underscored the severe risks posed by black ice.
Read the article - January 2020, Yongin, South Korea
In Yongin, a multi-vehicle collision involving 15 cars occurred on a frosty overpass, claiming two lives and injuring over 20 people.
Read the article
How to Stay Safe on Black Ice
- Reduce Speed: Always slow down during winter, especially in areas prone to icing, such as bridges and tunnels.
- Avoid Sudden Braking: Abrupt braking can lead to a complete loss of vehicle control. Instead, brake gently and steadily.
- Maintain a Safe Distance: Keep a significant distance from the vehicle ahead to allow more reaction time.
- Use Winter Tires: Equip your vehicle with winter tires designed to provide better traction on icy surfaces.
Lessons from the Goyang Accident: The Need for Black Ice Awareness
This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for both governmental and individual precautions against black ice. While authorities must intensify road maintenance and apply anti-icing measures, drivers must exercise caution by driving at reduced speeds and being vigilant about potential road icing.
