"Just One Glass of Charyeju..." Even One Glass of Eumbok Drunk During the Holiday Counts as Drunk Driving

On the 29th, one day before the Chuseok holiday, officials from the National Police Agency are conducting aerial surveillance of highway violations above Singal JC on the Gyeongbu Expressway. [Aerial filming cooperation: Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Aviation Unit, Officer Shim Dong-guk] / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] During the Chuseok holiday period, an average of 56 drunk driving accidents occurred daily, resulting in 109 casualties.

The National Police Agency announced on the 29th the 'Analysis of Traffic Accidents During the Chuseok Holiday Period Over the Past 5 Years,' revealing that an average of 481 traffic accidents occurred daily during the Chuseok holiday, causing 865 casualties. Among these, drunk driving accounted for an average of 56 accidents per day, with 109 casualties.

With the revised Road Traffic Act (the 2nd Yoon Chang-ho Act) implemented in June last year, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) threshold for license suspension due to drunk driving was lowered from 0.05% to 0.03%. The license cancellation threshold was also reduced from 0.1% to 0.08%. This means that even driving with a hangover or after just one glass of soju or beer can result in license suspension.

The day with the highest number of drunk driving accidents was the day before the holiday. On that day, there were 66 accidents and 110 casualties, significantly exceeding the holiday average. By time of day, the period between 10 PM and 2 AM accounted for the highest proportion at 38.4%.

A National Police Agency official stated, "Due to the recent increase in drunk driving accidents, special crackdowns have been underway since the 18th," and emphasized, "During the Chuseok holiday period, drivers should not get behind the wheel if they have had even one drink."

During the holiday period, drowsy driving accidents also occurred at an average of 6 cases per day, resulting in 13 deaths or injuries. This is slightly lower than the usual weekend figures (7 cases, 15 casualties). The highest number of drowsy driving accidents occurred on Chuseok day itself (8 cases, 22 casualties).

The National Police Agency urged, "Since 39.3% of accidents occur between 12 PM and 6 PM, drivers should be cautious of drowsy driving not only at night but also during daytime hours."