Police Conduct 7-Week Special Crackdown on Drunk Driving... Drunk Driving Accidents Down 32.1%

Police "Will Continue Strong Crackdown Throughout the Year"

The National Police Agency announced on the 9th that it conducted a special crackdown on drunk driving and violations of regulations in school zones for one month, achieving a reduction in drunk driving traffic accidents.

The National Police Agency stated that from April 13 to the 31st of last month, it cracked down on 18,047 cases of drunk driving and 7,082 cases of violations within school zones through the special enforcement campaign.

As a result, drunk driving traffic accidents decreased by 32.1%, deaths by 69.0%, and injuries by 36.1%. Traffic accidents in school zones also decreased by 50.9%, and injuries by 49.5%. However, there was one fatality.

This special crackdown was a response to a child fatality accident that occurred in a school zone in Daejeon in April, as drunk driving was also occurring in residential areas near schools during daytime hours on weekends. The police conducted nationwide simultaneous enforcement regardless of day or night to raise social awareness about drunk driving and traffic safety in school zones.

For the first time ever, the National Police Agency conducted seven nationwide simultaneous drunk driving crackdowns during daytime hours and more than twice-weekly local crackdowns, apprehending a total of 18,047 drunk drivers. Among them, 11,531 had their licenses revoked, 5,982 were suspended, and 534 refused testing. Additionally, 7,082 violators within school zones were apprehended.

During the special enforcement period, compared to the same period last year, nighttime drunk driving crackdowns decreased by 14.3%, while daytime crackdowns increased by 31.1%. The decrease in nighttime crackdowns by 10-20% compared to last year suggests an overall reduction in drunk driving.

An official from the National Police Agency said, "Through the seven-week special crackdown, awareness of safety in school zones has increased and a strong warning message against drunk driving has been delivered." He added, "We are determined to completely eradicate drunk driving in our society and will continue strong enforcement year-round regardless of day or night."