3,349 Traffic Accident Deaths Last Year... Reducing Pedestrian Fatalities Remains a Challenge

11.4% Decrease Compared to Previous Year... Double-Digit Decline for the First Time in 17 Years
Pedestrian Deaths 3.3 Times OECD Average
High Rates of Jaywalking and Elderly Deaths
Only Incheon Among Local Governments Shows Increase in Deaths

2019 Traffic Accident Overall Statistics. / Source: National Police Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The number of traffic accident fatalities last year was recorded at 3,349, showing an 11.4% decrease compared to the previous year. This marks the first time since 2002 that the number of traffic accident deaths has decreased by double digits.

However, pedestrian fatalities still occur more frequently than in advanced countries, highlighting the need for measures to reduce pedestrian accidents in the future. Regionally, Incheon was the only area where the number of deaths increased compared to the previous year.

The National Police Agency and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the 2019 traffic accident fatality statistics on the 8th. The number of traffic accident deaths has steadily decreased over the past three years, from 4,185 in 2017 to 3,781 in 2018, and 3,349 last year. In particular, deaths involving pedestrians, drunk driving, commercial vehicles, and children all declined.

When classified by the victim's status at the time of the accident last year, pedestrians accounted for the highest number with 1,302 deaths (38.9%). This was followed by vehicle occupants with 1,151 deaths (34.4%), motorcycle riders with 699 deaths (20.9%), and bicycle riders with 179 deaths (5.3%).

However, compared to international standards, pedestrian fatalities remain high. The average pedestrian death rate per 100,000 people in OECD countries is 1.0, whereas in South Korea it is 3.3. Among pedestrian fatalities, 35.0% (456 people) died due to jaywalking, and 57.9% (754 people) were elderly aged 65 or older. Traffic deaths among children under 13 decreased by 23.5% to 26.

Additionally, deaths caused by drunk driving fell by 14.7% to 295, and deaths involving commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks decreased by 15.4% to 633. There were 206 deaths on highways, with the most occurring on the Gyeongbu Line at 35, followed by the Seohaean Line (18), Jungbu Line (18), and Yeongdong and Jungang Lines (15 each).

Traffic Accident Death Rate Change by Regional Police Agency. Incheon was the only region nationwide to see an increase. / Data from the National Police Agency

Regionally, traffic accident fatalities generally decreased, but Incheon was the only area to see a 3.9% increase. The highest death rates per 100,000 people were recorded in Jeonnam at 16.6 and Chungnam at 14.1. Seoul (2.6) and Gwangju (3.3) showed the lowest traffic accident fatality rates nationwide.

The police analyzed that the reduction in fatalities was due to the establishment of a people-centered traffic safety system, including lowering urban speed limits and pedestrian environment improvement projects, as well as comprehensive improvements in systems, culture, and facilities such as stricter drunk driving enforcement and penalties.

The police plan to promote the early settlement of the "Safe Speed 5030" policy, which will be implemented nationwide in April next year, and to activate the "Regional Traffic Safety Council," a public-private partnership involving the police, local governments, civic groups, and transportation companies, to establish effective traffic safety measures.

A National Police Agency official stated, "We will continue to pursue pedestrian-prioritized safety policies this year as well," adding, "We will focus our efforts on strengthening traffic safety for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children, and continue safety management for commercial vehicles such as trucks."