Abstract
This dissertation is to propose possible schemes that can help reduce traffic accidents in Korea. The history of research shows that most studies on this topic have mainly focused on easing traffic jams and thereby improving traffic flows and on better controlling traffic accidents. Researchers have not quite touched on the fact that the investment in facilities and environments that are aimed specifically at securing the traffic safety and the improvement of the premium rates system do indeed contribute to the reduction of the cost germane to traffic accidents. Such neglect seems to be due to the understanding of traffic issues in Korea until the 90s, the time when the realistic focus was on the distribution of resources and commodities, which was imperative for the development of Korean industries. However, the explosive increase of traffic accidents during the period brought about serious social problems and hampered the industrial development of the country. As a result, the demand for various plans to reduce traffic accidents has surged. In response to such a demand, there-fore, this study delves into the possibility of reducing traffic accidents through the adjustment of the premium rates systems of automobile insurance, and, in the same vein, into the investment in bettering traffic facilities and environments. Toward the end, the study will propose several of possible plans for the reduction of traffic accidents, plans gestated in the improvement of the premium rates system of automobile insurance. Proposed plans are as follows: First, liability insurance must be integrated into full coverage automobile insurance and the purchase of full coverage automobile insurance must be made a mandatory. Second, the premium system must be further reinforced for persons with the history of traffic violations. Third, the premium rates system must be further improved. Fourth, a premium rates system that takes into consideration the difference in buyers resident areas must be introduced. Fifth, since there are occasions in which traffic accidents are caused by flaws in the road condition, an introduction of a road insurance system which can compensate for damages caused by faults in the road maintenance must be carefully considered.