29-Car Pileup Caused by Speeding, Fog

The police are investigating the cause of the accident on the Seohae Grand Bridge involving the crash of 29 cars. It came to a conclusion that the tragic accident was caused by speeding and not keeping the safety distance of 100 meters when the drivers could see only about 10 meters far due to heavy fog.

“If you cannot see 10 meters away, it is impossible to defend yourself when you drive at 50 km/h,” said transportation experts, raising possibility of controversies between the police and drivers over the responsibility of the accident.

“We have confirmed that the drivers were driving at 50-70 km/h. Most of the drivers lighted up fog lamps and emergency lights, but we believe the accident was caused because they did not keep safety distance and speed limit,” said the police on Wednesday.

Among the 11 dead, three people whose identities were unknown have been confirmed to be Kim Ki-ho (aged 26) hospitalized at Dankook University Hospital, Park Young-sook (age 46) and her son Kim Pan-kun (aged 19) at Anjung Paik Hospital in Pyeongtaek.

bibulus@donga.com