218 Traffic Accident Deaths in Seoul Last Year... More Than Half Were Pedestrian Accidents

119 rescue team members participating in the 'Training to Strengthen Traffic Accident Rescue Capabilities' held at Umyeon 119 Safety Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, are conducting a rescue drill for an injured person trapped under a fully overturned passenger car. Photo taken in December 2019 / Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jung] Last year, the number of traffic accident fatalities in the Seoul area was recorded at 218. This represents an 11.7% (29 people) decrease compared to the previous year (2019), marking the lowest level ever recorded.

On the 7th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency revealed these traffic accident fatality statistics and stated, "Despite the changed social conditions such as 'social distancing' due to the spread of COVID-19, it is evaluated as a result of prompt responses including expanding local government and traffic safety facilities and promoting contactless traffic enforcement."

Looking at last year's traffic fatality accidents by type, pedestrians, who account for the largest proportion of traffic accident fatalities in Seoul, numbered 115 (52.8%), a decrease of 30 from 145 the previous year. Among these, accidents caused by jaywalking were the highest at 38 cases (33.0%). In particular, pedestrian fatalities among seniors aged 65 and over were 60 last year, down 13 from 73 the previous year, but accounted for 52.2% of pedestrian fatalities. There were 2 child fatality accidents (3 the previous year).

Motorcycle fatalities numbered 58, down 4 from 62 the previous year. Deaths from single-vehicle accidents were high at 20 cases (34.5%). Violation types were failure to fulfill safe driving duties with 25 cases (43.1%), signal violations with 14 cases (24.1%), and crossing the center line with 5 cases (8.6%) in order. Personal Mobility Devices (PM), which have recently increased as short-distance transportation means, caused 3 traffic accident fatalities, an increase of 2 compared to the previous year.

By region, fatalities decreased significantly in Jungnang-gu (11 → 4, -63.6%), Seodaemun-gu (14 → 6, -57.1%), and Gangbuk-gu (7 → 3, -57.1%), while Eunpyeong-gu (7 → 14), Dongjak-gu (5 → 10), and Mapo-gu (7 → 13) showed a significant increase in fatalities.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that this year’s goal for reducing traffic accident fatalities is set at 192 or fewer, a decrease of 26 from last year. They plan to actively cooperate with related organizations and groups such as Seoul City, public corporations, and civic groups. This target represents a reduction of more than half (54.2%) compared to 419 in 2012 over ten years. The goal is to achieve traffic safety at the level of advanced overseas cities by bringing the number of traffic accident fatalities per 100,000 Seoul residents into the 1-point range (1.92).

A representative from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stated, "The reduction in traffic accident fatalities is possible not only through the efforts of the police and traffic safety-related organizations but also with the empathy and support of citizens." They added, "A pedestrian-centered traffic culture that prioritizes people and law-abiding driving are essential to protect the lives of oneself and family, so we expect the interest and participation of many citizens."

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