The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said on the 7th that 218 people died in traffic accidents in Seoul last year, the lowest level ever. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is planning to reach 192 or less, which is less than 26 this year, reaching the 1st level (1.92) of traffic accident deaths per 100,000 population.
School zone crackdown. Central photo
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the number of traffic accident deaths last year decreased by 11.7% (29 people) compared to 2019 (247 people). The number of deaths in traffic accidents in Seoul has been on a steady decline for 6 years since 2014 (399). However, as of last year, the number of traffic accident deaths per 100,000 people was 2.2, which is less than that of major cities such as Tokyo (1.0), London (1.4), Paris (1.6), and Sydney (1.9).
Among the fatalities in traffic accidents in Seoul last year, pedestrians accounted for the largest share with 115 (52.8%). Among these, accidents caused by trespassing were the most common with 38 (33.5%), followed by driver’s negligence with 31 (27.0%). Among the pedestrians who died, the elderly over the age of 65 accounted for the largest share with 60 (52.2%). There were two deaths in children (1.7%). The accident occurred on the sidewalk, not in the child protection zone (school zone), and the driver’s drunk driving and failure to comply with the duty of safe driving were the cause.
By autonomous region, the number of deaths decreased significantly in the order of Jungnang-gu (11 people → 4 people), Seodaemun-gu (14 people → 6 people), and Gangbuk-gu (7 people → 3 people). In Eunpyeong-gu (7 → 14), Dongjak-gu (5 → 10), and Mapo-gu (7 → 13), the death toll increased significantly.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will increase the installation of protective fences for pedestrians in one or two lanes one way and in children (elderly) protection zones to prevent traffic accidents caused by unauthorized crossing this year. In addition, the ‘3040 patrol’, in which the traffic and regional police slowly travel the lower lane at 30-40km/h by patrol car, is also scheduled to continue. Children’s safety is also secured by installing multifunctional surveillance cameras in all elementary school zones in Seoul. From May 11, the penalty for illegal parking in the school zone (based on passenger cars) will increase from 80,000 won to 120,000 won.
An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Government said, “Reduction of deaths in traffic accidents is possible only if the efforts of the police and traffic safety related organizations, as well as the sympathy and support of citizens, are supported.”
Reporter Moon-hee Wi [email protected]