"It's okay because I changed to studless tires..."



That's not true.



According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, many of the vehicles that were stuck last year were large vehicles and had already been replaced with winter tires.



However, it turned out that 70% were not wearing chains.

Winter tires account for 87% of stalled vehicles

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism was able to confirm that 367 vehicles were stuck in various parts of the Chugoku region from Hokkaido last season.



By vehicle size, large vehicles such as trucks and trailers accounted for 320 units (87%), the majority of the total, ▽25 medium-sized vehicles (7%), and 22 small vehicles (6%). was.

In addition, out of the 263 vehicles whose tire type was confirmed, 230 (87%) had been replaced with winter tires.



Of these, 196 vehicles for which the installation status of chains could be confirmed, ▽ only 23% (46 vehicles) were equipped, and ▽ 77% (150 vehicles) were not equipped.

Getting stuck even on a gentle slope

Furthermore, when we investigated the slope of the road, we found that many stalls occurred when the slope exceeded 4%. .



The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism recommends avoiding non-essential outings when heavy snow is expected, and wearing chains when driving.



In addition, it is necessary to be careful not to get stuck even on roads with relatively gentle slopes, so before driving a car, carefully check the topography of the traffic route, etc., and check the snowfall and road conditions before taking action. I'm doing it.

Expert "It is very important to wear a chain"

Isao Ueishi, senior researcher at the Snow and Ice Disaster Prevention Research Center, National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience, says that large vehicles such as trucks are particularly likely to cause people to get stuck. Therefore, it is very important to install a chain,” he points out.

On top of that, he said, ``It is important to refrain from using cars because it is easy to get stuck when snow falls where there is still slippery snow.''



If you have no choice but to drive a car, use a shovel to remove snow from under the tires and a cloth to put between the tires and the snow to increase the frictional force in case you get stuck. In addition to being prepared, it is also important to keep winter clothes, food, water, etc. in the car in case of a stranded situation.

"Manual for heavy snow measures before going out by car"

Furthermore, regarding the future of heavy snow, he said, ``In recent years, there have been many snowfalls in December, when people are not used to snow. There is also the risk of a surface avalanche, where new snow piles up on top and the layer above collapses.I think it's physically demanding, but I want you to prepare and help each other to deal with the snow."

Heavy and wet "coarse snow" causes tires to spin freely

For two days from the 19th of this month, the Snow and Ice Disaster Prevention Research Center of the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention, located in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, investigated the road surface conditions in Nagaoka City and other places.



According to the director of the center, Kazuki Nakamura, the snow this time was heavy and wet "grainy snow", and cars driving through the road covered with "grainy snow" formed deep ruts, causing the tires to spin in a state called "stuck". I'm assuming it's connected.



On top of that, Center Director Nakamura said that wet snow would continue to fall after the 23rd, saying, "It's important to refrain from going out unnecessarily because the road conditions will deteriorate. If you get into soft snow, you may lose your steering wheel or slip. If you have no choice but to drive, please do not enter the snow-covered road."



He also said he's expecting strong winds, so watch out for 'whiteouts' and fallen trees.

"How to deal with heavy snow manual whiteout"