The government decided to dispatch traffic police to locations with a high number of pedestrian deaths, and work with local authorities to create a safer environment. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Recent data shows that pedestrians account for a significant share of deaths caused by car accidents.
The National Police Agency reported Monday that pedestrians accounted for at least 40 percent of all deaths by car accidents that happened between 2015 and 2019.
Pedestrian deaths occurred mostly in the period from October to December, half of whom were seniors. Children also accounted for at least 20 percent of all pedestrian deaths.
In response, law enforcement agencies have decided to come up with new traffic safety measures to protect pedestrians as part of the government’s initiative to halve the number of traffic deaths.
The government decided to dispatch traffic police to locations with a high number of pedestrian deaths, and work with local authorities to create a safer environment.
The police will also work out the procedures to implement the new ‘Safety Speed 5030’ program that imposes a speed limit of 50 kilometers per hour on major roads in the heart of the city and a separate 30 kilometers per hour restriction on narrower roads and in safety zones.
Programs to foster pedestrian-friendly traffic and localized traffic solutions will also be developed, while authorities will crack down on illegal parking at children safety zones and jaywalking, the police said.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
