Glanced at Dashboard While Driving, Heart Went 'Thump'... Something 'Wriggled' Behind the Steering Wheel

Snake Appears in Rental Car Traveling on Highway
Driver Pulls Over and Calls Fire Department

A rental car driver traveling on a highway had a terrifying experience when a snake suddenly appeared from behind the steering wheel, forcing the driver to pull over in a hurry. The situation could have led to a major traffic accident, but fortunately, no one was injured.

According to Yonhap News Agency and other reports on November 1, at around 6:30 p.m. on October 31, Driver A was traveling on the southbound Gyeongbu Expressway near Yangjae IC when they noticed an unidentified movement between the rental car's steering wheel and dashboard.

A snake emerging from behind the steering wheel. Yonhap News

What Driver A had spotted was a snake's head. The snake, which had been hiding inside the vehicle, was poking its head out from behind the steering wheel and moving around. Startled by the unexpected sight, Driver A quickly pulled over onto the shoulder and contacted the fire department. After receiving the report, firefighters arrived at the scene at around 6:38 p.m., captured the snake inside the vehicle and euthanized it. After completing safety measures, they left the scene at around 7:11 p.m. Driver A was not bitten or injured, and no traffic accident occurred as a result of the snake's appearance. However, the specific circumstances remain unclear, including how the snake got inside the rental car and how long it had been hiding there.

Experts advise drivers not to swerve suddenly or brake sharply if they spot a snake while driving. Drivers should remain as calm as possible, keep control of the vehicle, turn on the hazard lights and pull over in a safe place. Since stopping on the shoulder of a highway can itself be dangerous, drivers should check the surrounding traffic after stopping, move to a safe location and call 119 or another emergency service for help.

Fire authorities responding to the report arrived at the scene at around 6:38 p.m., captured the snake inside the vehicle, and then euthanized it. Yonhap News Agency

Drivers should also avoid trying to catch or drive out a snake that appears inside a vehicle. Some snakes found in Korea are venomous, and it can be difficult to tell whether a snake is venomous based on its appearance alone. If you spot a snake, do not approach it. Keep a safe distance and leave its removal to rescue workers or other professionals.

If bitten by a snake, call 119 immediately and minimize movement. Keep the bitten area as still as possible, and remove tight items such as rings or watches before swelling begins. Cutting the wound with a knife, trying to suck out the venom, applying ice or tying the area tightly with a tourniquet can worsen tissue damage and should be avoided. Do not try to catch the snake to identify its species; seek medical attention promptly.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.