Full-scale winter has arrived, and to prevent traffic accidents and vehicle fires
Please check the tires

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This is a request from NEXCO EAST Hokkaido Regional Head Office (Atsubetsu Ward, Sapporo City).
Authentic winter has finally arrived. Have you updated your car with winter equipment, such as winter tires, winter wipers, and antifreeze washer fluid?
In order to drive safely on winter roads in the coming winter, if you have replaced your tires with winter tires yourself, make sure that the nuts are not tightened loosely, and also replenish the air pressure of the replaced tires to prevent wheel derailment accidents. We appreciate your cooperation in efforts to prevent tire bursts. Also, please check the condition of your tires as it is extremely dangerous to drive on deteriorated winter tires.

1. About falling objects on Expressway

The new coronavirus infection has moved to a Type 5 infectious disease, and traffic volume on Expressway is returning to pre-coronavirus levels. In proportion to the traffic volume, the number of falling objects on Expressway was 11,000 in 2021 and 2020, but as of the end of October in 2020, the number has exceeded 10,000. (Top items that fell were: (1) plastics and vinyl such as vinyl sheets, (2) automobile parts such as tires and bumpers, and (3) wood and cloth such as square lumber and blankets)
In particular, there were 185 cases of falling tire objects in 2021 and 198 cases in 2020, but as of the end of October 2020, there were 208 cases, which is more than the previous year and the year before.
If a vehicle behind you collides with a falling object on Expressway, it can lead to a serious accident. In addition, the traffic management team is risking their lives to recover the space where vehicles are traveling at 100km/h.
Once again, please check the nuts and air pressure of your winter tires, and with your small efforts, we can help keep you safe and secure on winter roads, including public roads.

2. Vehicle fire outbreak from burst

1. Event on Do-O Expressway
   In the early afternoon on September 25th, a large truck tire burst and caught fire on Do-O Expressway (Out-bound to Sapporo), resulting in a road closure for nearly five hours. Because the fire occurred on an elevated bridge, traffic on the general road side was also affected by traffic congestion, with lane restrictions being imposed on the Sapporo New Highway, which runs parallel to the viaduct.
2. Event on Doto Expressway
   In the morning of November 17th, a tire on a large truck exploded on Doto Expressway (In-bound towards Sapporo), causing the truck to derail and catch fire, resulting in a complete fire at the shelter after passing through Shimukappu Tunnel. did. If a vehicle fire were to occur in a tunnel, it would be a very dangerous situation. Since tunnels are closed spaces, heat builds up and smoke fills the space, which has a major impact on vehicles following in the tunnel. Additionally, walls and structures are affected by the high heat, resulting in not only road closures but also long recovery efforts, which has a major impact on logistics within Hokkaido.

Click here for road information before and during your trip!

1. DraPla
   Click here to collect information on all Expressway.
2. DraTra
   Click here for real-time road information. You can also watch live cameras.
3. NEXCO EAST Hokkaido Regional Head Office Official X (former Twitter) (@e_nexco_kita)
   Distributing traffic closure information and event information.
4. NEXCO EAST Hokkaido Regional Head Office Official LINE
   You can receive road closure information and search for tolls and routes.

   

5. HEARTFUL HIGHWAY ~ Everyone's Manners on Everyone's Highway ~
   We introduce our etiquette characters "Manatee" and "Squid Shark" and manners on Expressway.