Screenshot from a netizen’s phone.
“We are above the old road tunnel at Yaodianzi in Huize. We’ve been trapped here since 5 p.m. yesterday. The car is out of engine oil, and there’s not enough gasoline left to run the air conditioning for warmth. There’s no food in the car, and now the snow is even thicker. We hope the relevant departments can come to our rescue!” On the 16th, this plea for help was continuously reposted on WeChat Moments and Sina Weibo. Reporters later learned that the person asking for help was Ms. Zeng from Kunming and her friends. On the 15th, Ms. Zeng and two others were traveling to Zhaotong on business when they encountered heavy snow and their vehicle got stuck above the old road tunnel at Yaodianzi in Huize County. With the gasoline nearly depleted and unable to drive through the snow, they had no choice but to post for help via Weibo and WeChat.
At 2 p.m. on December 15, Ms. Zeng and her two companions from Kunming were in a hurry to get to Zhaotong. Although it had already started snowing in Kunming at that time, the three insisted on hitting the road to make it in time. Ms. Zeng said that shortly after starting the journey, they were informed that the highway had been closed. But because the matter was urgent, Ms. Zeng and her friends decided to avoid the highway and take the old road to Zhaotong. By 10 p.m., as the snow continued to fall heavily, the group decided to stop and rest for safety. Due to the cold weather, they turned on the car’s air conditioning for warmth.
It was understood that after a night of snowfall, the area where Ms. Zeng had parked her car was covered by several dozen centimeters of snow the next morning, and the car’s gasoline was also nearly running out. Ms. Zeng and her friends had to call the police for help, but due to the deep snow, traffic police were unable to reach them by car. Ms. Zeng and her friends began self-rescue efforts and posted on Weibo.
According to Ms. Zeng, because of the cold weather, the three decided to hike down the mountain on their own. They locked their car in place and trekked down the mountain, eventually hitching a ride and safely returning to Kunming. Later, reporters learned that after seeing the plea for help on Weibo, police had sent people to trek up the mountain for a rescue, but Ms. Zeng and her friends had already come down. “We have safely made it down the mountain. Thank you all for your concern,” Ms. Zeng said. “It’s just that my car is still parked there and hasn’t been pulled out yet.”
The sudden snowfall caused highways and airports in many parts of Yunnan to temporarily close. Slippery roads in snowy and rainy weather can easily lead to accidents if one is not careful. Reporters have compiled some winter driving tips for those who own cars to use as reference.
1. Turn on Fog Lights
When driving in snowy conditions, the white snow on the road has a high reflectivity. Therefore, it’s important to turn on fog lights while driving to ensure clear visibility, helping the driver see the road ahead clearly while also allowing oncoming vehicles to spot you early, reducing the risk of collisions due to sudden braking.
2. Maintain a Safe Following Distance
Due to slippery roads, the likelihood of rear-end collisions increases significantly on icy and snowy roads, so it’s essential to increase the following distance between vehicles during snowy weather.
3. Control Speed
While driving, maintain a low and steady speed. Be especially cautious when taking turns to avoid areas with accumulated snow. If unavoidable, reduce speed and shift to a lower gear well in advance, then proceed slowly. When entering or exiting main roads, crossing intersections, making left or right turns, encountering oncoming vehicles, or approaching pedestrians and cyclists, always be considerate and yield the right of way to prevent potential accidents.
4. Parking Precautions
When parking, try to choose a snow-free, open area, and avoid parking too close to buildings, utility poles, or other vehicles to prevent collision from sliding. Make sure to engage the handbrake and leave the vehicle in gear.
Finally, in the event of a traffic accident, call the police immediately. If weather conditions are poor, try to avoid traveling to prevent your vehicle from getting stuck. Safe driving is more important than anything. For the safety of yourself and others, drivers should stay vigilant and avoid taking unnecessary risks. (Reporter: Zhan Jingjing)