The number of people killed in traffic accidents has declined gradually in recent years, the government said Friday, following public campaigns to promote safety and the introduction of equipment to prevent loss of life and damage to property.

The number of people killed in traffic-related accidents fell to 4,292 last year from 5,092 in 2013, 4,762 in 2014 and 4,621 in 2015, according to the statistics provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
 

The comparable figure for the first eight months this year is 2,538, down 4.0 percent or 105 from the same period in 2016.

Land Minister Kim Hyun-mee has said his ministry will cooperate with the relevant agencies to further reduce traffic deaths.

"We've come up with special measures to focus our efforts on fostering a safe traffic environment," the policymaker said.

Among the measures are full-fledged crackdowns on drinking and driving, dangerous driving and traveling on the shoulders of roads. Authorities said they plan to employ police drones, patrol cars and helicopters to catch violators.

The government will also lower speed limits for roads prone to accidents, and educate children and the elderly people on the importance of road safety. (Yonhap)