Number of drunk drivers rising

The number of drunk drivers in the country has been skyrocketing for three consecutive years, according to figures released by a lawmaker yesterday.

The figure for those arrested for the offense has risen from 353,000 in 2006 to 412,000 in 2007 and then to 401,000 as of this November.

Last year, the number of drivers caught drunk driving averaged 1,130 per day, with 143 people killed in accidents involving drunk driving throughout the year.

Men were responsible for 90 percent of the drunk-driving cases. Men in their thirties took up 30 percent of the overall figure, said Rep. Lim Doo-sung of the ruling Grand National Party, who unveiled the National Police Agency figures.

However, the number of women caught drinking and driving also increased from 31,501 in 2006 to 40,677 in the January-November period of this year, he added.

Gyeonggi Province recorded the most offenders of all 16 regions nationwide, followed by Seoul and Busan.

Data also showed that three out of 10 were caught during weekends.

About 15.9 percent were caught on Saturdays and 14.8 percent were taken in on Sundays.

A large portion - 47.5 percent - of the drivers were detected by police between 10 p.m. and midnight, Lim said.

"A strict punishment and preventative measures should be devised on driving under the influence of alcohol because it is life-threatening, not only for the drivers, but also for their family members," Lim said.

"The government needs to set up an organized education and treatment system for those who have experience in drunk driving, and develop practical countermeasures that could actually change the drinking practices of habitual drunk drivers."

By Cho Ji-hyun
(sharon@heraldm.com)

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