Jeonnam Police Launch Intensive Crackdown on Drunk Driving

Nighttime Crackdowns Every Monday and Friday from November to January Next Year

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Jeonnam Police announced on the 17th that, in cooperation with the Autonomous Police Committee, they will conduct intensive drunk driving crackdowns in the province from the 18th until January next year.

Typically, year-end and New Year drunk driving crackdowns have been conducted from December to January of the following year. However, with the first year-end after the full lifting of social distancing measures, there is concern that increased drinking gatherings may lead to a rise in drunk driving. Therefore, this year, the intensive drunk driving crackdown will begin earlier than usual.

During the intensive crackdown period, each police station will conduct drunk driving checks, and on Monday and Friday nights?when drunk driving traffic accidents are concentrated?simultaneous crackdowns will be carried out throughout Jeonnam province.

In 2021, drunk driving fatal accidents decreased by 34.5% compared to the previous year due to social distancing caused by COVID-19 and changes in drinking culture. This year, the downward trend has continued, with an 84.6% decrease compared to the same period last year as of October.

However, according to the statistics on fatal accidents by time of day over the past four years as of October this year, the proportion of drunk driving traffic accident fatalities during nighttime hours (20:00?02:00) was 48.1% (37 out of 77). Since the lifting of social distancing, there have been more late-night drinking gatherings, raising concerns that the situation might revert to pre-COVID-19 conditions. Therefore, the police plan to strengthen crackdowns during nighttime hours.

Jeonnam Police intend to do their best to eradicate drunk driving by not only conducting drunk driving crackdowns but also raising drivers’ awareness through promotional activities aimed at eliminating drunk driving.

A Jeonnam Police Agency official stated, “As this is the first year-end after the full lifting of social distancing, it is a time when awareness of drunk driving could easily become lax. Please remember that drunk driving is a crime that takes away the precious lives and property of others, and we ask for your cooperation in safe driving to spread a culture of eradicating drunk driving.”