Increase in Fatality Rate Due to More Long-Distance Trips and Family Travel
"Take Sufficient Breaks During Long-Distance Driving"
Over the past three years, the fatality rate for traffic accidents during the Chuseok holiday has been 23% higher than the annual average. The Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TS) has repeatedly urged drivers to practice safe driving ahead of the holiday.
On the 2nd, one day before the Chuseok holiday, vehicles are moving on the Gyeongbu Expressway near the Seoul Tollgate, as seen from a National Police Agency helicopter. The left lane is heading toward Busan. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
On October 2, the Authority announced, based on data from the Traffic Accident Analysis System (TAAS), that the fatality rate for traffic accidents during the Chuseok holidays from 2022 to 2024 was 1.6 deaths per 100 accidents-23% higher than the annual average of 1.3 deaths per 100 accidents.
The Authority analyzed that the higher fatality rate is due to decreased concentration, such as drowsiness during long-distance driving, and an increase in the number of passengers as more families travel together by car.
The average daily number of traffic accident fatalities during the autumn season (September to November), including Chuseok, was also 8.3-17% higher than the annual average of 7.1.
The Authority emphasized the following essential safe driving rules for this holiday: taking sufficient breaks during long-distance trips, checking the vehicle before departure, and wearing seat belts in all seats. Before long journeys, drivers should check the brake pads, and when driving on long downhill roads, they should use a lower gear (engine braking) to maintain braking power.
Brake fluid should be replaced (or checked) every two years or every 40,000 kilometers, as its water content increases over time, reducing braking effectiveness. Drivers should also carefully inspect engine coolant and check for tire wear or cracks.
Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of severe injuries to the head, neck, and chest to one-sixth in the event of an accident. Additionally, using a child car seat in the rear seat significantly decreases the risk of severe injuries for children from 99% to 5%. In particular, for infants and toddlers, installing the car seat facing the opposite direction of travel is most effective.
Drivers should not place blind trust in smart cruise control features that assist driving, and must always keep their eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel.
While driving, it is recommended to take a break of at least 10 minutes every two hours, and to reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide inside the vehicle by using the outside air circulation mode or ventilating the car periodically.
Jung Yongsik, President of the Authority, stated, "It is essential to strictly follow safe driving rules and conduct pre-trip vehicle inspections when driving long distances during the Chuseok holiday," adding, "I hope everyone has a happy and bountiful Chuseok holiday by making accident-free safety habits a part of daily life."
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