Traffic Accidents Up 45% on the Day Before Chuseok Holiday... "Caution Advised on Homecoming Drive on the 23rd"

With the Chuseok holiday approaching, the risk of traffic accidents may increase, and drivers are urged to exercise special caution. Over the past five years, motor insurance claims involving personal injury the day before Chuseok have risen by more than 45% compared to the average day.

According to an analysis of motor insurance personal injury accidents from 2021 to 2025 conducted by the Korea Insurance Development Institute and the General Insurance Association of Korea, the number of accidents on the day before Chuseok increased by 45.3% compared to the usual daily average. This was attributed to a significant increase in traffic volumes as vehicles for both homecoming and evening commutes converge on the roads.

This year, there are also warnings that accident risks may be elevated on September 23, when the homecoming rush for Chuseok officially begins. As long-distance driving becomes more frequent, it is important to ensure safe driving by taking sufficient breaks and keeping safe distances between vehicles.

On the day of Chuseok itself, each accident resulted in the highest average number of casualties. This is because many vehicles are traveling with families or relatives, making it relatively more likely for a single crash to lead to multiple injuries.

The Korea Insurance Development Institute and the General Insurance Association of Korea advised that those who plan to take turns driving with family or acquaintances during the holiday should check the scope of their motor insurance coverage in advance. Drivers can utilize the optional policy extension for additional drivers or purchase one-day motor insurance for temporary coverage. In particular, it is important to confirm in advance whether insurance has been purchased and what is covered before handing over the steering wheel to another driver to prevent situations where the accident is not covered.

Yoo Jae-hoon, president of the Korea Insurance Development Institute, stated, "During the Chuseok holidays, traffic volume surges and many families are on the move, so even a small lapse in attention can result in harm to multiple people." He requested everyone to pay special attention to safe driving.

Lee Byung-rae, president of the General Insurance Association of Korea, said, "I encourage you to review the details of your motor insurance coverage before you depart, and, if necessary, to utilize optional driver extension policies or other measures to ensure a safe holiday."

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