The police are intensifying their focus on large buses, trucks, and highways during the fall outing season, which sees an increase in traffic accidents. The National Police Agency announced that from October 8 to November 30, it will implement 'fall outing traffic safety measures.'
Analysis of traffic accidents from 2021 to 2025 revealed that fatalities involving buses, trucks, and highways rise during October and November. The average number of deaths from intercity, highway, and charter bus accidents in these months is 3.7, which is 1.5 times higher than the annual average of 2.4. Fatalities from truck accidents average 61.8, a 20% increase from the annual average of 51.5, while highway fatalities average 20.1, about 29% higher than the annual average of 15.6.
Buses and trucks, due to their larger size, can lead to more severe outcomes in accidents. According to the Korea Road Traffic Authority's traffic accident analysis system, there were 24,464 truck accidents in 2024, accounting for 12.5% of all accidents, with 594 fatalities, representing 23.6% of total deaths (2,521). The fatality rate for truck accidents is approximately 2.7 times higher than that of passenger cars, indicating a significantly greater risk.
The police will deploy undercover patrol cars on highways to crack down on reckless and retaliatory driving, as well as lane violations. They will also focus on monitoring tour buses for group travel, shoulder driving, in-vehicle drinking and singing, and seatbelt use. In collaboration with relevant agencies, they will investigate illegal removal of speed limiters, overloading, speeding, and poor maintenance of trucks.
At departure points for tour buses, activities will be conducted to prevent in-vehicle drinking and ensure seatbelt use, along with efforts to deter drunk driving. Random sobriety checkpoints will be established in areas around popular fall foliage spots and entertainment districts, where drunk driving incidents are frequent.
A spokesperson for the National Police Agency urged the public to adhere to basic safety rules, including wearing seatbelts in all seats, taking sufficient breaks to prevent drowsy driving, and refraining from drunk driving to ensure a safe and enjoyable fall outing.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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