Im Ho-seon "Accident Prevention Measures Tailored to Regional Characteristics Needed"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] It has been revealed that motorcycle accidents are increasing nationwide, with an average of 58.2 motorcycle accidents occurring daily last year.
According to data received on the 27th from the Road Traffic Authority by Lim Ho-seon, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, nationwide motorcycle accidents have been on the rise: 18,241 cases in 2017, 17,611 in 2018, 20,898 in 2019, and 21,258 in 2020.
During the same period, the number of fatalities was around 500 annually, with 564 in 2017, 537 in 2018, 498 in 2019, and 525 in 2020. Injuries also exceeded 20,000 each year, with an average of 103.2 people injured daily as of last year.
Since 2017, the local government with the highest number of motorcycle accidents based on accident counts was Cheongju-si, Chungbuk (1,636 cases). This was followed by Suwon-si, Gyeonggi (1,568 cases), Bucheon-si (1,389 cases), and Dalseo-gu, Daegu (1,383 cases). The highest number of fatalities was in Changwon-si, Gyeongnam, with 44 deaths, followed by Cheongju-si, Chungbuk (33 deaths), Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi (31 deaths), and Pyeongtaek-si (30 deaths).
Among local governments with over 100 motorcycle accidents, the accident increase rates were notably high in Osan-si, Gyeonggi (242.6%), Tongyeong-si, Gyeongnam (225.0%), Guri-si, Gyeonggi (216.7%), and Dong-gu, Daejeon (201.6%).
Based on fatalities relative to traffic accidents, Inje-gun, Gangwon recorded a fatality rate of 43.5%, with 10 deaths out of 23 accidents. The top seven regions, including Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk (28.6%), Gunwi-gun, Gyeongbuk (25.7%), and Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon (21.2%), were all at the county level.
Assemblyman Lim stated, "Since COVID-19, motorcycle accidents have been increasing annually due to the rise in delivery volumes. In addition to overall efforts to reduce accidents, tailored accident prevention measures are necessary for regions experiencing rapid increases or fatal accidents."
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