Lying on the Road After Drinking Causes Accidents
251 Cases and 27 Deaths Last Year
"Accident Causers Also Responsible" Voices Raised
[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] At around 2:28 a.m. on the 4th, a man in his 30s, Mr. A, who was lying on the road at a three-way intersection in Jungnang-gu, Seoul, was hit by a passing vehicle and died. The driver of the vehicle was intoxicated, with a blood alcohol concentration reaching the level for license suspension.
Mr. A had also been lying on the road after drinking. Since it was early morning and raining, it was difficult to notice someone lying on the road. However, the police judged the driver’s negligence to be serious, considering that the driver continued driving after the accident and was intoxicated, and recently sent the driver to the prosecution under detention.
On the 6th, a similar accident occurred in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. A taxi driving through an alley in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, hit and killed a man in his 50s, Mr. B, who was lying on the road while intoxicated. Mr. B had refused help from police who responded to a report of a drunk person, collapsed on the street after the police left, and was later involved in the accident.
There have been consecutive cases of so-called "stealth pedestrian" accidents, where drivers fail to notice pedestrians lying on the roadside and hit them. Especially in summer, when outdoor activities increase, many people unknowingly collapse after drinking and get into accidents, which often lead to fatalities, so both drivers and pedestrians need to be cautious. According to the National Police Agency, 251 stealth pedestrian accidents occurred nationwide last year, resulting in 27 deaths. In 2019, there were 374 cases with 35 deaths, and in 2018, 285 cases with 40 deaths.
Drivers sometimes express frustration. It is realistically difficult to spot a pedestrian lying down while driving, but once an accident occurs, most cases lead to charges under the Special Act on the Treatment of Traffic Accidents. It is also not easy to prove to investigators that the pedestrian was not recognized.
A police official said, "To ensure pedestrian safety, the 'Safe Speed 5030' system is being implemented and measures are taken to detect pedestrians early, but it is often difficult to spot pedestrians lying on the road during early morning hours. While drivers need to be cautious, actively reporting anyone lying on the road can also be a great help."
Professor Kim Pil-soo of the Department of Automotive Studies at Daelim University said, "The approach of holding drivers solely responsible for accidents lacks validity and has many unfair aspects, so it is necessary to hold those who cause accidents more accountable as well. From the driver’s perspective, when driving at night in remote areas, there is no other way but to reduce speed and pay special attention around corners or places where people might be present," he advised.
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