42 Drunk Driving Traffic Accidents Per Day... December Records the Highest Occurrence

Frequent from 10 PM to Midnight
22.3% of Drivers in Their 30s Are the Most

It was revealed that approximately 42 drunk driving traffic accidents occur daily nationwide over the past five years.

Police are conducting drunk driving and fine enforcement on the highway near the Seoul Tollgate on the Gyeongbu Expressway in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the analysis of big data from 2019 to 2023 by the Korea Road Traffic Authority on the 23rd, there were a total of 75,950 drunk driving traffic accidents, resulting in 1,161 deaths and 122,566 injuries.

The proportion of drunk driving accidents among all traffic accidents was 7.3%, with the highest number occurring in December by month. By time of occurrence, accidents were frequent from 10 PM to midnight on Fridays and Thursdays. By age group, drivers in their 30s accounted for the highest proportion at 22.3%.

An official from the Korea Road Traffic Authority stated, “During the year-end and New Year holidays, when many gatherings take place, it is easy to fall into the temptation of drunk driving, so voluntary efforts to prevent drunk driving are necessary not only from drivers but also from passengers and members of society.” He added, “Drunk driving is not a simple mistake but a serious criminal act that threatens lives and must never be committed.”