Promotion of Legislation for Autonomous Driving and Pedestrian-Centered Traffic... Police Draft Complete Revision of Road Traffic Act

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] As the police push for a complete revision of the Road Traffic Act for the first time in 15 years to reflect the changed traffic environment, its outline is gradually emerging.

The National Police Agency recently announced on the 14th that it has prepared a draft for the complete revision of the Road Traffic Act. Accordingly, the National Police Agency plans to collect opinions from frontline traffic police officers on the draft for one month starting from the 15th.

The National Police Agency has been promoting the complete revision of the Road Traffic Act.(▶Our paper, September 17, 2018 [Exclusive] Legislation for Autonomous Vehicles... Targeting 2021 / April 15, 2019 Full Revision of the Road Traffic Act in Full Swing... Will the Foundation for 'Autonomous Driving' be Established? See also)

Previously, the National Police Agency has been promoting the complete revision of the Road Traffic Act since 2018 and commissioned a research project to Ajou University last year. Receiving the research results in February this year, the National Police Agency drafted the complete revision last month.

Reflecting the changed road environment according to the times, the main focus of the complete revision has been how to establish the legal foundation for 'autonomous driving,' considered the pinnacle of the 4th Industrial Revolution. A National Police Agency official stated, "The draft strengthens pedestrian protection so that people, not vehicles, can be at the center of the law, and reflects necessary matters for new traffic environments such as autonomous vehicles."

However, the controversial 'Minsik-i Act' is unlikely to be separately amended as it has not been in effect for long. The Minsik-i Act refers to two amended laws: the Road Traffic Act and the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Special Act). The recently debated part concerns the Special Act, which strengthens penalties for child traffic accidents in school zones, and is largely unrelated to the Road Traffic Act amendment that mandates the installation of safety facilities in child protection zones.

The complete revision draft of the Road Traffic Act will be processed after collecting opinions from frontline traffic police officers, consulting related ministries, review by the Ministry of Government Legislation, and discussions in the National Assembly. It is expected to be officially promulgated as early as next year.

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