"Smartphone Distraction Crash" ... 1.2 Times Increase in Traffic Accidents During Seollal Holiday

More Than 1.3 Times More Casualties From Drunk Driving
During the Lunar New Year Holiday Compared to Usual

With the Lunar New Year holiday approaching, the number of family vehicles on the road is increasing, raising concerns about casualties from traffic accidents, prompting the government to urge caution.

According to the Korea Road Traffic Authority on the 22nd, traffic accidents occurring on the day before the Lunar New Year holiday from 2019 to 2023 totaled 697 cases, which is more than 1.2 times higher than usual (568 cases). The number of casualties per 100 traffic accidents during the Lunar New Year holiday (172 people) also increased by about 1.2 times compared to usual (146 people).

Last September, ahead of Chuseok, the Gyeongbu Expressway near Singal IC in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do was congested with returning holiday vehicles. Yonhap News

Among traffic violations occurring during the Lunar New Year holiday, 'failure to comply with safe driving duties such as using a mobile phone' accounted for the highest at 55%. This was followed by signal violations (13%) and failure to maintain a safe distance (10%).

On the day before the Lunar New Year holiday, damages caused by drunk driving also increased. During this period, the number of casualties per 100 traffic accidents caused by drunk driving was 186, about 1.3 times higher than usual (146). Looking at the age groups of drunk drivers, normally those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s each accounted for about 20%, but during the Lunar New Year holiday, those in their 20s accounted for the highest at 25.7%.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety urged the following to prevent traffic accidents during the Lunar New Year holiday: ▲check vehicle conditions such as engine and brakes before driving ▲wear seat belts in all seats and use child car seats ▲prohibit driving under the influence of alcohol ▲refrain from using mobile phones or watching videos while driving ▲take breaks at rest areas or drowsiness shelters if feeling sleepy or tired while driving.

Fire damage during the holiday period should also be carefully avoided. Before cooking, the surrounding area should be cleaned, and if cooking oil overheats and causes a fire, gas and power should be cut off first. Do not place packaging plastic or paper towels near the gas stove, and use a dedicated outlet when using kitchen electrical appliances. Hwang Gi-yeon, Director of the Prevention Policy Bureau at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said, "Since this Lunar New Year holiday is longer than usual, we hope everyone pays extra attention to traffic accidents and fire safety to have a safe and enjoyable holiday."

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