65 Traffic Accident Deaths in Incheon This Year... Police Intensify Efforts to Reduce Autumn Traffic Accidents

Pedestrians Account for 40% of Traffic Fatalities
Fatalities from Taxi Accidents Increase from 1 to 6 Last Year

Traffic Accident Graphic

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] This year, pedestrian fatalities account for 40% of traffic deaths in Incheon, and deaths caused by taxis have significantly increased.

According to the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency on the 18th, from January to August this year, there were 65 traffic accident fatalities in Incheon.

Among them, car-to-car accidents caused the most fatalities with 34 victims, followed by vehicle-to-pedestrian accidents with 26 victims, and single-vehicle accidents with 5 victims. Notably, vehicle-to-pedestrian accidents increased by about 18% compared to the same period last year.

Regarding accident types, 38 cases were due to failure to drive safely, while the rest included 10 signal violations, 7 cases of crossing the center line, 3 speeding cases, and 2 failures to protect pedestrians.

The age group of victims was highest among those aged 65 and older with 22 victims, followed by 51?64 years old with 20 victims, and 21?30 and 31?40 years old with 8 victims each.

Additionally, traffic fatalities caused by taxis were the highest, increasing from 1 person last year to 6 this year. Casualties involving city buses and freight trucks were 3 and 6 respectively, both decreasing compared to last year.

The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency plans to focus on pedestrian protection and traffic safety measures for two-wheeled vehicles and commercial vehicles until the end of November, in preparation for the increased movement of vehicles and pedestrians during the autumn season.

Following the implementation in July this year of the 'Expanded Duty to Protect Pedestrians at Crosswalks,' active promotion will be made to make stopping at crosswalks before right turns at intersections a routine practice. At four locations where pedestrian accidents frequently occurred (Juan4, Sinchon4 Hwarang-ro, Sinchon4 Gyeongwon-daero, Dongsu4), right-turn traffic signals will be installed on a trial basis, and related enforcement will be strengthened.

Furthermore, in areas with frequent traffic accidents involving taxis, buses, and two-wheeled vehicles, focused monitoring of signal violations and speeding will be conducted, and joint crackdowns with related agencies will be carried out on illegal structural modifications of two-wheeled vehicles.

Along with this, special 24-hour crackdowns on drunk driving will continue during commuting hours for 'driving under the influence of hangover,' after lunch for 'driving after drinking,' and late at night in boundary areas such as Gimpo and Bucheon in Gyeonggi Province and on highways.

An official from the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency said, "We will make every effort to actively implement traffic safety measures to establish a pedestrian-centered traffic culture and reduce traffic accident fatalities," adding, "We ask all drivers and pedestrians to comply with traffic laws to participate in accident prevention and the establishment of a safety culture."

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