950 Traffic Accident Deaths from January to April This Year... 8.4% Decrease

Pedestrians, Elderly, and Children Decrease
Two-Wheelers and Highways Increase
Number of Deaths Also Rises in 8 Local Governments

Number of Traffic Accident Deaths by Type from January to April

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The number of traffic accident fatalities from January to April this year was recorded at 950, showing an 8.4% decrease compared to the same period last year. While fatalities among vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and the elderly decreased, deaths involving two-wheeled vehicles and highway traffic accidents increased compared to the previous year.

The National Police Agency and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the traffic accident fatality statistics as of the end of April this year on the 21st.

By category, pedestrian fatalities were 357, down 13.6% from the previous year, and fatalities among seniors aged 65 and over were 390, a decrease of 18.1%. Fatalities among children under 13 also decreased by 25% to 6, with no fatal accidents occurring in March and April. However, fatalities from drunk driving accidents were 98, showing a decrease of only one compared to last year.

On the other hand, fatalities from traffic accidents involving two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles increased by 13.0% to 148 compared to last year. This is believed to be due to the increase in delivery services such as food orders caused by social distancing measures amid the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Additionally, the number of fatalities on highways also slightly increased by 5.4% to 59.

Regional Traffic Accident Fatality Rate Changes

By region, Gangwon (-58.3%), Incheon (-50.0%), Jeju (-31.0%), Daegu (-27.8%), and Gyeongbuk (-23.5%) saw significant decreases, while Gwangju (100.0%), Ulsan (16.7%), Gyeongnam (11.1%), Daejeon and Chungnam (9.5%), and Busan (8.6%) experienced increases in traffic accident fatalities.

The government plans to take active measures, noting that the rate of decrease in drunk driving fatalities, which had previously dropped significantly, is now low, and that fatalities involving two-wheeled vehicles and highways are increasing, showing different characteristics from previous years. The police have resumed mass drunk driving checks, which were suspended due to COVID-19, using ‘non-contact detectors.’

Furthermore, regarding two-wheeled vehicles, efforts will be strengthened to activate public reporting, distribute safety equipment, conduct campaigns and education, and crack down on illegal operations. For highways, collaboration with related agencies will continue to focus on managing high-risk groups such as freight trucks and conducting themed crackdowns by period. In addition, safety inspections of school zones and children’s school buses are being conducted in cooperation with related ministries in line with the upcoming start of elementary schools and kindergartens.

The National Police Agency and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport emphasized, “Public interest and participation, as well as the efforts of local governments and police stations on the front lines, are most important to reduce traffic accident fatalities,” and urged, “All regions must actively participate in advanced traffic culture and work to prevent traffic accidents.”

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