How to Respond When You Experience an Earthquake on the Road

When you feel an earthquake while on the move, it's not easy to apply the actions you practiced at home. In a car, the steering wheel can become unstable, so it's better to slow down gradually rather than making sudden stops. On the subway or train, opening the doors to exit onto the tracks can be more dangerous. Pedestrians in urban areas should avoid building exteriors and signs, while in mountainous paths, it's important to quickly assess the risk of falling rocks and steep slopes, and on the coast, to determine the possibility of tsunamis.

This guide breaks down various situations including cars, subways, buses, trains, walking, mountain paths, coastal areas, bridges, tunnels, and airports. The common principle is to prevent falls and collisions, assess surrounding hazards such as falling objects, bridges, tunnels, cliffs, and coastlines, and to follow the instructions from the operating and relevant agencies.

If you feel strong shaking or see sudden changes in the sea level while on the coast, do not wait for official alarms; move to higher ground or inland. It's advised to avoid returning immediately after the first wave. Don’t just abandon your vehicle; instead, safely pull over and assess the road conditions and the status of surrounding structures. Referring to this list, mark dangerous sections and alternative routes on your commuting and travel paths in advance.

Responding to an earthquake while on the move starts with making judgments that prevent secondary accidents like abrupt stops, crowd movements, or random escapes, rather than relying on the ability to move quickly. Drivers should pull over away from intersections, bridges, power lines, and buildings, and check the radio and disaster alerts. Public transport users should secure themselves with handles or seats and follow the crew’s announcements. Pedestrians should prioritize protecting their heads while avoiding walls, fences, signs, and moving to open areas.

Mark bridge, tunnel, steep slope, and coastal sections on your usual routes, and differentiate between earthquake evacuation sites and tsunami evacuation zones. Capturing screens or preparing paper maps can be helpful, especially when communication is cut off. Keep a radio, flashlight, water, and shoes in your vehicle, but do not assume that being in the car is always safe. If there is a fire, flooding, or structural damage, follow the directions from relevant authorities and move away from the vehicle if necessary.

After an earthquake, the status of roads, railroads, and tunnels can change rapidly, so avoid trying to reach your destination at your usual speed. Briefly inform your family about your location and direction of movement, and prioritize confirming official information by reducing unnecessary phone calls. On the coast, stay in high places and do not return to check the waves until official announcements are made.