Children's Day Traffic Accidents 2.4 Times More Frequent Than Usual: "Seat Belts and Slowing Down in School Zones Essential"

Use Car Seats, Avoid Drunk Driving

"Basic Rules Save Lives"

As outdoor activities increase in May, the risk of traffic accidents involving children is also rising. On Children's Day, the number of accident victims more than doubles compared to regular days.

According to the Korea Insurance Development Institute on May 3, the number of traffic accident victims on Children's Day is 2.4 times higher than on ordinary days. Compared to the weekend average, it is 1.4 times higher.

In particular, 3 out of 10 children who suffered serious injuries or fatalities (grades 1 to 7) were not wearing seat belts. The seat belt non-compliance rate among seriously injured children stands at 30.8%, consistently remaining higher than the overall average.

Although accidents in school zones have been on the decline, the risk remains high. The number of child victims within school zones decreased by 20.3% compared to the previous year, but the proportion of serious injuries was 13.9%, significantly higher than in non-school zones (0.4%). Notably, about 84% of school zone accidents occur while children are walking.

Bicycle accidents are also on the rise. The number of children injured in accidents between vehicles and bicycles reached 2,331 and continues to increase each year. These accidents account for 2.8% of all cases, but in school zones, the proportion rises sharply to 16.8%, highlighting the heightened risk.

An official from the Korea Insurance Development Institute emphasized, "When using bicycles, children should always wear protective gear such as helmets and night lights, and must dismount and walk across crosswalks. When children are in vehicles, it is essential to use a car seat appropriate for their body size and to ensure that the seat belt is properly fastened."

The official also warned, "Illegal parking and stopping can obstruct the view of children, whose eye level is lower, increasing the risk of accidents. Therefore, avoid parking in school zones. Regardless of whether children are passengers, if you have consumed alcohol, you must use a substitute driver or public transportation and never attempt to drive, even for short distances."

Heo Chang-eon, President of the Korea Insurance Development Institute, stated, "Practices such as wearing seat belts and slowing down in school zones are the most effective ways to protect children's lives. Since children have limited crisis response abilities and unpredictable behavior, drivers must exercise the utmost caution to prevent accidents."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.