Increasing Traffic Accidents During Vacation Season... Safe Driving Essential for 20s Renters and Summer Destinations

Road Traffic Authority Analyzes Accidents Over the Past 5 Years
Accidents Involving Drivers from Other Regions in Gangwon and Jeju Increase by 20-40%
Be Careful Between 4-6 PM When Attention Drops

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] An analysis has revealed that the average daily traffic accidents during the summer vacation season occur more frequently than usual. In particular, traffic accidents involving drivers in their 20s renting cars and accidents in major vacation and tourist spots such as Gangwon and Jeju surged sharply.

According to the Road Traffic Authority on the 30th, over the past five years (2016?2020), the average daily number of traffic accidents during the concentrated summer vacation period (July 16 to August 31) was 602.4, which is higher than the usual average of 598.8. The average daily number of injured people due to accidents was also about 908.4, approximately 20 more than usual.

By time of day, unlike usual when traffic accidents concentrate during rush hours (6?8 p.m.) when vehicles are congested, during the summer vacation season, the proportion of accidents occurring between 4?6 p.m. (12.6%), when attention tends to decline due to the midday heat, was higher.

Due to the nature of the vacation season, rental car traffic accidents also increased by about 2.9% daily. In particular, rental car accidents involving drivers in their 20s averaged 7.8 per day, a 10.7% increase from the usual 7.1, accounting for 31.2% of all rental car accidents.

By region, popular vacation spots during the holiday season, Gangwon and Jeju, saw increases of 12.5% and 9.2%, respectively. Especially, traffic accidents caused by drivers from other regions surged by 48.2% and 29.7% compared to usual. As domestic travel is expected to increase again this year due to COVID-19, following last year, special caution is required.

Na Jung-moo, head of the Traffic Accident Comprehensive Analysis Center at the Road Traffic Authority, said, "With the rapid spread of COVID-19 centered in the metropolitan area coinciding with the summer vacation season, there is concern about an increase in traffic accidents due to the influx of travelers to non-metropolitan areas," adding, "We hope everyone can have a safe summer by adhering to quarantine guidelines and traffic safety rules."