Children's Day Was the Most Dangerous Day: Accident Risk 2.4 Times Higher Than Usual

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[The Financial News] Although the number of child traffic accident victims has declined, the perceived risk has actually increased when population decline is taken into account. In particular, accident-related harm on Children's Day was found to be 2.4 times higher than usual. The non-use rate for seat belts, at 30.8%, and the rise in drunk-driving-related injuries were also cited as major risk factors.
The Korea Insurance Development Institute announced on the 3rd that it had analyzed the status of traffic accident victims among children under 13 in 2025, based on auto insurance statistics, to mark Children's Day.
According to the analysis, the number of child traffic accident victims last year was about 83,000, down 4.4% from the previous year. However, when adjusted for the decline in the child population, the number of victims per 1,000 children rose from 18.8 to 19.4.
Accidents tended to cluster seasonally in May and August. In particular, on Children's Day itself, the number of accident victims was 2.4 times higher than on ordinary days, underscoring the need for extra caution from guardians.
Failure to use safety equipment was also identified as a major risk factor. About 3 out of 10 children with serious injuries, or 30.8%, were not wearing seat belts, a rate far above the overall average for non-use.
Accidents involving drunk driving also increased. The number of children injured in drunk-driving crashes reached 346, up 18.1% from a year earlier. About 70% of all such accidents occurred from Friday through the weekend, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance during weekends, when family travel is more common.
Accidents involving bicycles also showed an upward trend. The number of child bicycle accident victims reached 2,331 and has been rising every year. In school zones, the share of car-bicycle collisions was 16.8%, about six times higher than in all other areas.
"Child traffic accidents have declined, but it is difficult to say the risk level has fallen when population decline is taken into account," the Korea Insurance Development Institute said. "Extra caution is especially needed during periods of heavy travel, such as Children's Day and the vacation season."
imne@fnnews.com Hong Ye-ji Reporter