The Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency and the Daegu City Autonomous Police Committee plan to carry out a phased traffic safety campaign through Sept. 27 to ensure safe and smooth travel during the Chuseok holiday period.
Daily traffic volume in the Daegu area is expected to reach 602,000 vehicles during the holiday — a 4.0 percent increase from last year's 528,000 — with congestion peaking on Chuseok day itself, Friday, when up to 796,000 vehicles are forecast on the road, the Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency said Saturday.
In response, police will deploy an average of 174 officers and 105 pieces of equipment daily — including patrol cars and motorcycles — at key congestion points such as expressway on- and off-ramps, traditional markets and public cemeteries, focusing on traffic flow and safety.
During the first phase, running through Tuesday, police will concentrate on holiday shopping hotspots including traditional markets, hypermarkets and department stores, as well as areas around public cemeteries. Temporary parking will be permitted for up to two hours on roads near 23 traditional markets.
The second phase, from Wednesday through Sept. 27, will see officers concentrated on roads connected to expressway interchanges, national highways on the city's outskirts and 22 sections within the city expected to experience heavy congestion. A comprehensive traffic operations center will also be in operation.
Police will step up visible patrols to prevent violations that have been a leading cause of fatal accidents during recent holidays — particularly failures to stop before making right turns — and will strictly crack down on selfish driving behavior such as cutting in and tailgating.
In addition, real-time information on congested sections and alternative routes will be shared through the Daegu Traffic Twitter account, TBN traffic radio and electronic traffic safety signs to help distribute traffic flow.
Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Park Jun-seong urged drivers to get adequate rest during their journeys and to obey traffic laws for a safe trip.
kbj7653@heraldcorp.com
