South Korean police will significantly expand the operation of unmarked patrol cars on expressways and conduct intensive crackdowns to prevent traffic accidents during May, the country's Family Month. The move comes as highway traffic casualties in May have risen more than 15% compared with other months over the past three years.
The Korean National Police Agency said Wednesday it will implement a "Highway Special Management Plan" through the end of this month, deploying more than 60% additional unmarked patrol cars on nine major expressway routes near popular travel destinations. The agency plans to focus on major traffic violations including failure to wear seatbelts, driving in improper lanes, and speeding, while also strengthening preventive patrols during accident-prone hours.
According to the agency, highway traffic casualties in May averaged 973 over the past three years, 15.1% higher than the average of 845 recorded from January to April. By time of day, accidents were most frequent between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. with 206 cases (15.2%), followed by 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., each accounting for 171 cases (12.6%).
By route, the Gyeongbu Expressway had the highest share of accidents with 276 cases (20.3%), followed by the Seoul Ring Expressway No. 1 with 174 cases (12.8%). By vehicle type, passenger car accidents were the most common at 849 cases (62.6%), followed by trucks at 330 cases (24.3%) and vans at 75 cases (5.5%).
Police said they detected a total of 2,384 traffic violations during the trial operation of the special management plan from May 1 to 5, including 259 bus-only lane violations and 580 designated-lane violations. Traffic accidents during the same period totaled 20 cases, down 77.1% on a daily average basis from the same period last year, while the number of enforcement actions rose 10.2%.
In addition to unmarked patrol cars, police will also use vehicle-mounted enforcement equipment and variable message signs to provide real-time congestion information and guide drivers to detour routes. Variable lane operations will also be implemented if congestion worsens.
"Police will do our best to ensure that expressways can be used safely during Family Month," said Lee Seo-young, acting director general of the Public Safety and Traffic Bureau. "We ask drivers and passengers to make safe driving habits part of their daily lives, including wearing seatbelts and preventing drowsy driving."
