"I Can't Breathe" – A Terrifying Driving Experience on Busanhangdaegyo Bridge
Have you ever driven on a road so frightening that you felt like you were on a roller coaster? Busanhangdaegyo Bridge, often dubbed the "roller coaster over the sea," is one such road in Busan, South Korea. With steep curves and a 40-meter-high elevation, it’s not for the faint-hearted.
Recently, an incident on this bridge left many shocked. On February 16th, JTBC’s "Han Moon-cheol’s Black Box Review" (Hanblri) aired footage showing a driver experiencing sheer panic while trying to enter the bridge.
A Driver Overcome by Fear
The black box footage revealed a white car suddenly stopping in the middle of the entrance ramp, with its hazard lights flashing. A driver following behind had to stop as well, confused about what was happening. Moments later, a woman stepped out of the stopped vehicle, visibly shaken.
“I’m too scared to go up,” she told the other driver. “What do I do? I came all the way from Gwangju in Jeolla Province, but I just can’t drive up this road.”
Despite being reassured that it was a road everyone used, she struggled to breathe and experienced a panic attack. Eventually, she moved her car to the shoulder to let others pass. Attorney Han Moon-cheol speculated that she might have called 112 (police) or 119 (emergency services) for help.
What Makes Busanhangdaegyo Bridge So Scary?
The road in question is the entrance ramp to Busanhangdaegyo Bridge from Yeongdo. Opened in June 2014, this bridge spans Busan’s North Port, linking Gamman-dong in Nam-gu with Cheonghak-dong in Yeongdo-gu.
The entrance ramp is particularly intimidating: it requires drivers to make a sharp 360-degree turn for about two minutes before reaching the main bridge. With the sea stretching out below, many have described the experience as nerve-wracking.
Social media is filled with reactions from drivers who have faced the challenge:
- “I have a fear of heights, and I broke into a cold sweat on this road. I couldn’t turn around, so I just kept going.”
- “I once took a Busan city tour bus on this road—it made me dizzy and nauseous, but the view was breathtaking.”
- “Even after years of driving, I felt nervous my first time on Busanhangdaegyo Bridge.”
Why Is the Road Designed This Way?
According to the Busan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries, the central section of Busanhangdaegyo Bridge reaches a height of 66 meters—equivalent to a 20-story apartment building.
A straight entrance ramp would have resulted in an excessively steep incline, failing to meet road safety standards. To ensure a more gradual ascent, engineers designed a curved ramp, making the climb smoother, though it remains a nerve-wracking experience for many drivers.
Final Thoughts
Busanhangdaegyo Bridge is an architectural marvel, but it’s not for everyone. If you have a fear of heights or sharp curves, driving on this road might be overwhelming. However, for those who brave the challenge, the view from the bridge is undoubtedly one of the best in Busan.
Would you dare to drive on Busanhangdaegyo Bridge? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!