Police Launch Nationwide Crackdown on Drunk Driving During July-August Summer Vacation Period

Crackdown on Highway Entrances and Exits Ahead of 'Wonjeong Drinking Parties'

Photo for drunk driving crackdown./Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The National Police Agency announced on the 14th that, starting from the 15th of this month until the end of the August vacation season, it will conduct an 'Intensive Crackdown on Drunk Driving' together with autonomous police.

The police plan to maximize the effect of preventing drunk driving by conducting customized crackdowns tailored to the circumstances of each city and provincial police agency, considering local situations such as social distancing levels.

In particular, to prevent drunk driving accidents caused by drinking gatherings moving between regions due to differences in social distancing levels, the highway patrol units will be mobilized to simultaneously crack down on drunk driving at major highway entrances and exits.

Additionally, the National Police Agency will provide various statistical data, including analysis data on the status of drunk driving crackdowns in areas with frequent drunk driving accidents extracted through statistical analysis, to each city and provincial police agency.

The number of drunk driving accidents in the first half of this year (January to June) was 6,987, a 17.7% decrease compared to the same period last year. The number of deaths was 80, and the number of injuries was 11,008, decreasing by 47.0% and 20.7%, respectively.

By time of day, due to social distancing measures such as restrictions on operating hours of entertainment facilities and restaurants, the proportion of drunk driving accidents during early morning and late-night hours (midnight to 6 a.m.) is decreasing, but the proportion of drunk driving accidents during earlier hours (6 p.m. to midnight) is on the rise.

Yang Woo-cheol, head of the Traffic Safety Division at the National Police Agency, stated, "Drunk driving is a heinous crime that robs others of their precious lives and property, and at the same time, it is an unforgivable act of terror that completely destroys the peaceful daily lives of the victims' families." He urged, "All drivers should recognize that drunk driving is a time bomb on the road and participate in safe driving for their own and others' safety."

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