Introduction of 'Pedestrian Priority Roads' and Expansion of Fine Imposition... Revised Road Traffic Act to Take Effect in July

Pedestrian priority road reference photo.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] A "pedestrian priority road" for pedestrian protection will be introduced, and the items subject to fines for traffic law violations will be expanded. In addition, vehicles will be required to stop temporarily at crosswalks without traffic signals in school zones, and when entering roundabouts, drivers must yield to vehicles already in the roundabout.

The National Police Agency announced on the 10th that the revised Road Traffic Act containing these provisions will be promulgated on the 11th of this month. The revised law will be fully enforced starting July 12, six months later.

The newly promulgated revision strengthens "pedestrian protection" by imposing pedestrian protection duties on drivers even in non-road areas such as apartment complexes, and it also stipulates the method of passing through roundabouts.

First, a "pedestrian priority road," where pedestrian safety and convenience are guaranteed first, will be introduced. Pedestrians can use the entire road in these areas, and drivers are obligated to protect pedestrians by slowing down or stopping temporarily. The head of the city or provincial police agency or the police station chief may limit vehicle speeds on pedestrian priority roads to within 20 km/h.

Additionally, pedestrian protection duties such as slowing down or stopping temporarily will be imposed on drivers even in areas not previously considered roads, such as inside apartment complexes and university campuses. All drivers must stop temporarily not only when pedestrians are crossing crosswalks but also when pedestrians are about to cross. Especially in school zones, at crosswalks without traffic signals, drivers must stop briefly in front of the crosswalk regardless of whether pedestrians are crossing.

The revised law clearly defines roundabouts and stipulates traffic methods such as the obligation to slow down or stop when entering a roundabout and the duty to yield to other vehicles already circulating in the roundabout.

The items subject to fines for traffic violations proven by photographic or video evidence will also be expanded. Currently, fines are imposed for 13 types of violations such as speeding and signal violations, and 13 additional items have been newly added. Specifically, these include violations frequently reported by public interest whistleblowers, such as not wearing helmets on two-wheelers, illegal U-turns, illegal crossing, illegal reversing, illegal lane changes, entering safety zones, throwing objects out of vehicles, using mobile phones while driving, and exceeding load weight or capacity.

A National Police Agency official said, "We hope a traffic culture that prioritizes people over vehicles will be established," and added, "We plan to revise subordinate laws such as enforcement ordinances in line with the enforcement date to ensure the smooth implementation of the revised law."

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