[In-Depth Look] Drivers in the Land of Children, Minsik Law in the Land of Adults

Lee Jun, Associate Research Fellow, Transportation Safety and Disaster Prevention Research Center, Korea Transport Institute

Last September, following the tragic death of Kang Min-sik (then 9 years old) in a traffic accident within a child protection zone in Asan, Chungnam, the 'Min-sik Act (Amendment to the Road Traffic Act)' was established to strengthen traffic regulations in child protection zones and is now set to be implemented. The legislation process faced difficulties. Opinions were sharply divided between those who argued that the scope of penalties was too broad and the punishments too harsh, and those who insisted on achieving 'zero' child fatalities in child protection zones.

Traffic accidents do not occur solely due to driver negligence or carelessness. They can also result from pedestrian negligence or carelessness. However, from now on, within child protection zones, regardless of who caused the accident, all responsibility lies with the adult driver. Nevertheless, it is premature to expect that child traffic accidents will be completely eliminated simply because strong child protection measures like the Min-sik Act have been enacted. To overcome a situation where everyone becomes a victim, efforts to reduce child traffic accidents must begin alongside the operation of the Min-sik Act.

It is the responsibility of adults to create an environment where children can freely nurture their dreams and run around without restraint. At the same time, adults who live by faithfully obeying the law must also have their ways respected. In spaces where children and adults intersect, viewing the space from the child's perspective and shifting all rules entirely toward protecting children will help reduce child traffic accidents.

A car traveling at a speed of 30 km/h moves approximately 8.3 meters in one second. Considering that the typical perception-reaction time (the total time to recognize danger and apply the brakes) is about one second, even when passing through a child protection zone at the regulated speed of 30 km/h, if a child suddenly runs out within 8 meters, an accident becomes unavoidable.

So, what is the road situation around schools like? Is it structured so that children within 8 meters can be easily spotted? Under child protection zone signs, illegal parking of private cars and academy vehicles during school commute times occurs openly, and large signboards are frequently found. To reduce damage from child traffic accidents despite adhering to the speed limit, illegal parking within child protection zones must be strictly blocked. Drop zones should also be secured to allow boarding and alighting only at designated places. If strong regulations are enforced, an environment that supports compliance must be created accordingly.

If the adult world has 'beginner drivers,' the children's world has 'beginner pedestrians.' We have never educated children entering the adult world enough to secure their own safety. The only traffic safety education they receive is simplistic and clich?d, such as 'raise your right hand when crossing the street.' In France, traffic safety education is a mandatory curriculum starting from elementary school. Especially by the third grade, children receive a 'pedestrian license,' and without it, they must hold a guardian's hand to go to school. This method naturally educates children according to their age to maintain order in both the children's and adults' worlds and helps internalize that order.

The enforcement of the Min-sik Act strongly demands adult responsibility within child protection zones, which may be perceived as excessive regulation. The Min-sik Act should serve as a turning point to change the foundation of traffic safety culture. It is essential to understand what protective and considerate behaviors are required because they are children. Educating children on traffic and pedestrian rules appropriate to their growth process is the true way to reduce child traffic accidents and fulfill the purpose of the Min-sik Act.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.