Where Are the High-Risk Areas for Two-Wheel Vehicle Traffic Accidents in Seoul?… Concentrated at Intersections and Subway Stations

More than Half of 559 Nationwide Cluster Areas Are in Seoul
44 Cases Around Sillim Station Lead... Many in Gangbuk Area
Increase in Accidents in the 'Untact Era'
Calls for Accident Prevention Measures

Two-wheeled vehicle. / Photo by Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] It has been revealed that motorcycle traffic accidents are concentrated in areas with high foot traffic or high demand for two-wheeled vehicles, such as subway stations and traditional markets in Seoul. As motorcycle accidents are on the rise in the 'contactless era' brought about by the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), there are calls for the establishment of region-specific traffic accident prevention measures.

According to the Traffic Accident Analysis System (TAAS) of the Korea Road Traffic Authority on the 11th, 559 locations nationwide were identified as 'motorcycle traffic accident hotspots.' The selection criterion was whether 15 or more motorcycle traffic accidents occurred within a 100m radius of the central area over the past three years.

Among these hotspots, 285 locations (50.9%) were concentrated in Seoul. The number of motorcycle traffic accidents that occurred in these areas reached 5,404, with 6,534 casualties. The single area in Seoul with the highest number of motorcycle accidents is Sillim Station on Subway Line 2 in Gwanak-gu, where 44 accidents occurred, resulting in 51 casualties. This is analyzed to be due to the high demand for deliveries because of the dense residential and commercial areas, many resident university students, and the presence of a traditional market, leading to a high rate of motorcycle use. Following this are Dongmyo Station, a transfer station for Subway Lines 1 and 6 in Jongno-gu (43 accidents), Gireum Station intersection in Seongbuk-gu and Suyu intersection in Gangbuk-gu (39 accidents each), and Samyang Entrance intersection in Gangbuk-gu and Hwagok intersection in Gangseo-gu (35 accidents each), where a considerable number of motorcycle accidents also occurred.

In particular, an analysis of 92 locations in Seoul hotspots where 20 or more accidents occurred separately confirmed that motorcycle accidents frequently happen in areas with certain characteristics. First, 29 locations (31.5%) were around intersections and rotaries with heavy traffic, and 19 locations (20.6%) were near subway stations with high foot traffic. There were also four locations around traditional markets where motorcycle use is frequent. By district, Gangbuk-gu had the most with 11 locations, followed by Dongdaemun-gu with 10, and Jungnang-gu, Seongbuk-gu, and Gwanak-gu with 9 each. Relatively, motorcycle traffic accidents occurred more frequently in districts north of the Han River than those south of it.

Accordingly, there is a need for each district to prepare customized motorcycle accident prevention measures suited to local conditions. Moreover, due to the increase in delivery demand amid the spread of COVID-19, motorcycle accidents have further increased. According to the National Police Agency, the number of traffic accident fatalities in the first half of this year (January to June) was 1,459, a 10.0% decrease compared to the same period last year, but motorcycle traffic accident fatalities alone were 265, a 13.7% increase during the same period.

Experts unanimously agree that various promotional and educational activities are necessary to prevent motorcycle accidents in line with this trend. Min Kyung-jin, head of the Traffic Accident Comprehensive Analysis Center at the Korea Road Traffic Authority, emphasized, "With the spread of delivery culture, the risk of motorcycle accidents has also increased. Motorcycle riders must wear protective gear and comply with traffic laws as accidents can lead to serious injuries."

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