Concerns Over a Sharp Increase in Drunkenness (酒醉) Accidents Amid Relaxed Social Distancing!

Big Data Analysis of Drunkenness-Related Dispatches Shows This Year's Incidents Fluctuated with 'Social Distancing'
Increase in Drunkenness Accidents Expected in October During Level 1 Distancing
Large Temperature Differences Raise Circulatory Disea

The provincial fire department is responding to an alcohol-related incident. (Photo by Gyeongnam Fire Department)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kang Sharon] The Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters has urged residents to be cautious about safety as an increase in alcohol-related incidents is expected due to the easing of social distancing measures.

The Fire Headquarters analyzed 12,327 alcohol-related dispatches from February last year to September this year and confirmed that this year's alcohol-related dispatches amounted to 5,916, a 7.7% decrease compared to the previous year.

In 2019, the number of alcohol-related dispatches gradually increased after temperatures rose in March, but in 2020, the number of dispatches sharply fluctuated due to the implementation of social distancing.

After June, as social distancing measures were eased, the number of alcohol-related dispatches showed a slight upward trend similar to the previous year. However, on August 19, when social distancing was raised to Level 2, alcohol-related dispatches in August decreased by 8.8% (▼81 cases) compared to the previous year (924 cases), and in September decreased by 16.6% (▼144 cases) compared to the previous year (866 cases), indicating that the increase or decrease in alcohol-related dispatches varies according to social distancing measures.

Accordingly, the Fire Headquarters expects an increase in alcohol-related dispatches in October, when social distancing was eased to Level 1, and is urging residents to be cautious about safety.

In particular, in October, due to strong temperature fluctuations (over 10 degrees Celsius), circulatory system diseases and mortality rates sharply increase, making the prevention of secondary damage caused by alcohol-related incidents more important than ever.

Heo Seok-gon, head of the Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters, emphasized, “Even though social distancing is eased, safety awareness must not be relaxed,” and added, “Being cautious about alcohol-related incidents is the way to ensure residents have a safe autumn.”