Road Traffic Authority: "Fatality Rate of Traffic Accidents on Rainy Roads 1.4 Times Higher Than on Clear Days"

Drivers Urged to Exercise Caution Ahead of the Rainy Season

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] An analysis has revealed that the fatality rate of traffic accidents on rainy roads is 1.4 times higher compared to clear days. With the summer monsoon season approaching, drivers are urged to exercise extra caution.

The Korea Road Traffic Authority announced on the 1st the results of an analysis of traffic accident characteristics on rainy roads over the past five years. According to the authority, there were a total of about 70,000 traffic accidents on rainy roads in the last five years, resulting in 1,541 deaths.

Looking at the occurrence of traffic accidents by weather conditions, the fatality rate of traffic accidents on rainy roads (number of deaths per 100 accidents) was 2.2, which is 1.4 times higher than on clear days (1.6).

The number of traffic accidents on rainy roads was highest in July, when the summer vacation season begins, with 11,197 cases (15.7%) and 220 deaths (14.3%). By time of day, accidents were most frequent during the evening hours of 6 to 8 p.m. (14.4%), and fatalities were highest between 8 and 10 p.m. (12.8%).

The fatality rate by accident type showed that single-vehicle accidents had a rate of 8.5, about twice that of pedestrian accidents (4.2) and 8.5 times that of vehicle-to-vehicle accidents (1.0). It was analyzed that careful attention to traffic safety on rainy roads is necessary due to risks such as road departure on curved roads and hydroplaning leading to overturning or rolling over. In particular, the fatality rate for speeding accidents on rainy roads reached 29.6, significantly higher than the 22.1 on clear days.

Min Kyung-jin, head of the Traffic Accident Comprehensive Analysis Center at the Korea Road Traffic Authority, stated, “During the rainy monsoon season, sudden weather deterioration or heavy rain reduces visibility and shortens sight distance, increasing risk factors such as longer braking distances compared to normal conditions.” He urged, “When it rains, drivers should reduce speed by 20% to up to 50% compared to usual, maintain sufficient safety distance, and pay extra attention to safe driving.”

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