The Safe Speed 5030 initiative, which has been conducted on a trial basis since 2018, will be implemented across the country. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 26 (Korea Bizwire) – Starting from next month, it will become illegal to drive a car faster than 50 kilometers per hour in downtown areas nationwide.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Police Agency issued a joint statement on how to reduce the number of traffic accident deaths.
For downtown areas nationwide, the speed limit for cars will be lowered from the current 60 kilometers per hour to 50 kilometers per hour from April 17.
The Safe Speed 5030 initiative, which has been conducted on a trial basis since 2018, will be implemented across the country.
Safe Speed 5030 refers to a campaign to lower the speed limit for cars to 50 kilometers per hour in downtown areas and 30 kilometers per hour in residential areas.
In addition, the Road Traffic Act will be revised by the first half of this year, aimed at creating a pedestrian-centered traffic environment.
In particular, even when pedestrians are poised to cross a crosswalk without traffic lights, it will become mandatory for drivers to stop temporarily.
Under current laws, drivers have to stop cars temporarily only when pedestrians actually cross the crosswalk.
According to government data, the number of pedestrian deaths stood at 1,093 last year, down 16.1 percent from a year ago, but still represents a large share of 35.5 percent in the total number of traffic accident deaths.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
