Traffic Accidents During Autumn Outing Season Increase by More Than 10% Compared to Usual

by Lee Gwanju

Published 01 Oct.2021 10:24(KST)

Monthly Traffic Accident Status from 2018 to 2020. [Data provided by the Road Traffic Authority]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] It has been found that more than 10% more traffic accidents occur during the autumn outing season compared to usual, requiring drivers to exercise special caution.

On the 1st, the National Police Agency and the Korea Road Traffic Authority analyzed monthly traffic accidents over the past three years and confirmed that the average daily number of accidents during the autumn outing season in October and November was 654, which is 11.2% higher than usual. The time period with the highest number of traffic accidents was between 6 PM and 8 PM, showing a 33% increase compared to the same time period on regular days.

The age group of offenders causing traffic accidents was highest among elderly drivers aged 65 and over, accounting for 15.2%. By regional scale, cities with populations over 300,000 recorded the highest average number of accidents during the outing season at 1,361 cases, and the proportion of outing season traffic accidents among total traffic accidents tended to increase from large cities (district level) to smaller cities (county level).

Na Jeong-mu, head of the Traffic Accident Comprehensive Analysis Center at the Korea Road Traffic Authority, said, "This year as well, due to the prolonged social distancing caused by COVID-19, it is expected that more travelers will seek to enjoy the clear autumn weather outdoors," adding, "We hope everyone keeps in mind the vulnerable time periods for traffic accidents and complies with traffic laws to have a safe autumn."