Jeonnam Police to Fully Implement 'Safe Speed 5030' on the 17th of Next Month

‘Speed Limit Reduction’ Wide Roads 50km/h · Narrow Roads 30km/h

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency announced on the 22nd that it will fully implement the ‘Safe Speed 5030’ policy from the 17th of next month to reduce pedestrian traffic accidents in urban areas.

While most developed countries set the urban speed limit at 50 km/h, South Korea currently sets it at 60 km/h.

According to a 2018 study by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, a 10 km/h reduction in speed decreases fatal accidents (with a possibility of serious injury) by 20%.

This reduction in speed has been shown to have a significant effect on preventing traffic accidents, not only in developed countries but also in a pilot analysis conducted in 13 cities and counties nationwide (National Police Agency, 2021), where pedestrian accidents decreased by 15.8% and pedestrian fatalities dropped by 33.8%.

The Safe Speed 5030 policy, selected as a government project through the collaboration of 13 organizations including the National Police Agency, aims to reduce pedestrian traffic accidents that occur in over 90% of urban areas by limiting speeds to 50 km/h on wide roads and 30 km/h on narrow roads within city centers. This policy has been in full effect since April 17, 2021.

In particular, Jeonnam is the most aged region in the country (23.5%), with elderly fatalities accounting for 61.4% of all pedestrian traffic deaths, making urban speed limits a highly desirable policy to protect vulnerable road users such as the elderly.

Kim Jaegyu, Chief of Jeonnam Police Agency, stated, “Every year, there are tragic losses due to pedestrian traffic accidents in Jeonnam. We will strengthen traffic safety policies for vulnerable road users such as the elderly and strive to establish a ‘pedestrian-first’ traffic culture through monitoring resident satisfaction after implementation.”

Meanwhile, in Jeonnam last year, out of 281 traffic accident fatalities, 139 were elderly (49.5%), and out of 83 pedestrian fatalities, 51 were elderly (61.4%).

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