Police Conduct Intensive Crackdown on School Zones Aligned with Elementary Schools' Full Return to In-Person Classes

Operation of Dedicated Enforcement Team for School Zones
Strict Crackdown on Traffic Violations

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 29th that it will conduct intensive crackdowns on traffic violations and illegal parking in school zones to prevent children's traffic accidents, in line with the full return to in-person elementary school classes scheduled for the 6th of next month.

Analyzing 142 traffic accidents in school zones that occurred in the first half of the past three years in Seoul, the police found that kindergarteners and lower-grade elementary students (ages 6-10, 68.3%) most frequently suffered traffic accidents while crossing roads during dismissal hours (14:00-18:00, 52.8%) (51.4%).

The traffic violations committed by offending vehicles were in the order of failure to drive safely (42.2%), failure to fulfill pedestrian protection duties (19.0%), and signal violations (16.9%).

Accordingly, the police plan to enforce traffic law violations during school arrival and dismissal times in school zones, secure children's traffic safety on school routes through non-contact education and publicity using children's video educational materials, and reinforce pedestrian safety facilities such as protective fences and temporary central dividers.

Additionally, each police station will form a dedicated team to crack down on traffic law violations mainly during dismissal hours (14:00-16:00) in elementary school zones.

The school zone enforcement teams will focus on cracking down on major causes of children's traffic accidents such as speeding, signal violations, failure to protect pedestrians, and motorcycles driving on sidewalks, using mobile speed enforcement equipment and camcorders.

From the 6th to the 17th, over two weeks, joint crackdowns on illegal parking around elementary schools will also be conducted together with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and local districts.

Choi Kwan-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said, "Although children's traffic accidents have been steadily decreasing due to increased social interest in children's traffic safety and online classes caused by COVID-19, it is expected that children's outdoor activities will increase with the full return to elementary school classes starting in September." He urged, "Within school zones, drivers should slow down to be able to stop immediately in sudden situations, and especially refrain from illegal parking that obstructs the visibility of drivers and children."

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