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NEXCO EAST Hokkaido Regional Head Office (Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo) will be conducting three pre-campaigns to coincide with the winter traffic safety campaign from November 13th (Wed) to 22nd (Fri) to encourage road safety among Expressway users: a joint "prevention of slipping off roads" awareness event with four related organizations; a quiz campaign on the Hokkaido Regional Head Office official Twitter account; and awareness campaigns at service areas (SA) and parking areas (PA).

1. Three initiatives Implementation details

(1) Winter Traffic Safety Pre-Campaign (Awareness-raising event on preventing road slippage jointly organized by four related organizations)

On October 20th, the first snow was observed in various parts of Hokkaido, and winter arrived in Hokkaido. In Hokkaido, the peak of winter tire change is coming as winter approaches, but the time of tire change is also a time when wheels are more likely to come off. If a wheel comes off while driving on Expressway, not only will the wheel come off, but the wheel may come into contact with other vehicles, or if it flies into a construction zone with high speed, it may pose a danger to workers inside the zone.
For this reason, Hokkaido Prefectural Police (Hokkaido Police), the Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association, and the Hokkaido Transport Bureau are running a pre-winter traffic safety campaign as a part of a call for thorough prevention of wheel slippage, including checking that nuts are not loose, with the aim of strengthening road safety ahead of the winter season.

• If you wish to cover the event, please fill out the necessary information on the "Interview Application Form" (Attachment 1 [PDF: 46KB]) and submit it by FAX.
• In the event of bad weather or an emergency, the event may be canceled or changed.

(2) The Hokkaido Regional Head Office Official Website is holding the "NEXCO EAST Winter Traffic Safety Quiz Campaign"!

　(For details,see Appendix 2 [PDF: 98KB])

(3) Traffic safety campaigns and street awareness-raising at service areas, parking areas, interchanges, and roadside stations

During the period, a traffic safety campaign will be held at SA/PA, ICs, and roadside stations across Hokkaido. Together with Manners Improvement Character "Manatee," they will encourage safe driving to customers using Expressway through street awareness activities and the distribution of novelty items.

• In the event of bad weather or an emergency, the event may be canceled or changed.

Date and time (November)	place
14th (Thursday) 11: 00-12: 00	E5A札樽道　 金山PA（上）
Friday 15th 10:30～12:00	E5 Hokkaido Expressway Watatsu PA (lower)
Friday 15th 13:30～14:30	E38 Doto Expressway Shimukappu PA (top)
15日（金） 15:00～16:00	E5道央道　 岩見沢SA（上）
18日（月） 9:30～10:30	E5道央道　 旭川鷹栖IC入口
18日（月） 14:00～15:00	E5道央道　 砂川SA（上）
19日（火） 10:00～11:00	E5道央道　 野幌PA（下）
20日（水） 11:00～12:00	Roadside Station Otofuke
21st (Thursday) 11: 00-11: 30	E5道央道　 有珠山SA（上）
21日（木） 14:30～15:00	E5道央道　 八雲PA（上下）

2. NEXCO EAST Hokkaido Regional Head Office Winter Traffic Safety Campaign Key Points

1. Get your mind and car ready for winter early!
   Before winter really sets in, be sure to switch to winter gear early. Use winter tires, winter wipers, switch to antifreeze washer fluid, check the engine and battery early, and perform inspections and maintenance before setting off on your drive!

   

   

2. Check your tires and try to prevent them from coming off the road!

   In Hokkaido, the number of people changing to winter tires is at its peak before the full-scale winter season begins, but tire change periods are also a time when tires are more likely to come off the road. If a tire comes off the road while driving on Expressway, it can not only be dangerous for the vehicle that has come off the road, but it can also come into contact with other vehicles, and if it flies into a construction zone with great force, it can pose a danger to workers within the zone.
   Please check that the nuts are not loose and refill the air pressure in the replaced tires to prevent wheel slippage and tire bursts!

   
3. Be careful of slip accidents! Don't be overconfident in your driving skills or car performance, and switch to winter-style driving!

   According to data from fiscal year 2023, the number of accidents on Hokkaido Expressway accidents caused by steering or braking errors in winter are about four times higher than in summer, and their proportion among all accident causes is increasing.
   Not only when it is snowing, but even when it is not snowing, the road surface may be frozen due to the difference in temperature between morning and evening. Be sure to avoid sudden driving such as "sudden acceleration, sudden steering, and sudden braking" and switch to winter driving!

   
4. Check weather and road information before and while you're out!

   Be sure to check the weather forecast and road information frequently from a few days before your trip, and drive with peace of mind. Also, because the weather in winter can change quickly, be sure to check the weather information frequently after you leave!
   To check Expressway information, NEXCO EAST 's "DraPla" and "DraTra", as well as official X and official LINE are convenient services, so please make use of them.

   

[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.