The Gangwon branch of the Korea Expressway Corporation has undertaken a project since last month to affix reflective tape and sleepy-eye stickers to cargo trucks, as well as replace rear reflectors at no cost. (Image courtesy of the Gangwon branch of the Korea Expressway Corporation)
WONJU, Nov. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – In a bid to enhance road safety, the Gangwon branch of the Korea Expressway Corporation has undertaken a project since last month to affix reflective tape and sleepy-eye stickers to cargo trucks, as well as replace rear reflectors at no cost.
The initiative’s primary goal is to boost the visibility of cargo trucks at night, thereby preventing rear-end collisions, fostering driver awareness, and ultimately curbing traffic accidents.
While the government mandated the use of reflective tape for cargo trucks operating at night through legal amendments in 2018, this project was driven by the realization that numerous cargo trucks, particularly older ones, remain overlooked in terms of compliance.
Exemptions in the law for cargo trucks weighing less than 7.5 tons and those registered before the law’s enforcement date in 2018 led to a significant number of older vehicles lacking proper visibility when operating at night.
Before and after applying the reflective tape (Image courtesy of the Gangwon branch of the Korea Expressway Corporation)
Acknowledging the persistent risk of traffic accidents involving these older cargo trucks at night, the Gangwon branch of the Korea Expressway Corporation initiated a pilot project to provide free reflectors, stickers and other equipment to cargo trucks ensnared in legal blind spots.
As part of the initiative, reflective tape, which helps other drivers easily ascertain the cargo compartment’s size and shape, is applied to the rear and side of the cargo truck. Additionally, sleepy-eye stickers, designed to deter drowsy driving accidents, are placed on the rear, and old rear reflectors are swapped out for new ones.
Notably, safety messages such as ‘Fasten Your Seatbelt’ are affixed to the rear and side of the vehicle as part of a highway traffic safety campaign.
To date, about 50 cargo trucks, including 13 Lotte Chilsung Beverage vehicles, have undergone modifications to improve their visibility at night.
A representative from the Gangwon branch of the Korea Expressway Corporation stated, “In collaboration with traffic safety authorities and freight transport associations, we are jointly advancing this project to draw attention and participation for the prevention of accidents involving cargo trucks. Additionally, we are formulating specific plans to expand this initiative nationwide.”
While highway traffic accident fatalities in Korea have decreased by a significant 54.5 percent over the past 10 years, from 343 in 2012 to 156 last year, the proportion of fatalities resulting from accidents involving cargo trucks has increased steadily over the past five years, accounting for 54 percent of all fatalities last year.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
