If pedestrians are visible on side roads, slow down or stop first

Enforcement of Revised Road Traffic Act
Fines Imposed for Violations

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Starting from the 20th, drivers on roads without center lines, such as alleyways, will have an obligation to protect pedestrians. When passing next to pedestrians, drivers must maintain a safe distance and slow down or stop first.

On the 18th, the National Police Agency announced that the revised Road Traffic Act and subordinate regulations containing these provisions will take effect from the 20th. According to the police, the new law newly regulates the way pedestrians travel on roads without sidewalks and establishes drivers' obligations to protect pedestrians, imposing fines for violations (40,000 KRW for passenger cars, 80,000 KRW in protection zones). Accordingly, drivers passing next to pedestrians on roads without sidewalks or center lines must maintain a safe distance and slow down, and if obstructing pedestrian passage, must slow down or stop first to allow pedestrians to pass safely.

The scope of pedestrians using strollers or devices has also been expanded. Previously, only walking aid chairs such as strollers and electric wheelchairs were allowed to travel on sidewalks. Going forward, pedestrian status and protection will be granted to ▲ walkers for the elderly ▲ play equipment used by children ▲ non-motorized handcarts ▲ cases where drivers dismount and push two-wheelers or bicycles ▲ and road maintenance equipment. The police explained the reason for the revision, stating, "There was a problem in that devices and equipment realistically traveling on sidewalks, such as delivery handcarts, walkers for the elderly, and non-motorized children's play equipment, were not covered."

The new law also introduces the concepts of autonomous vehicles and autonomous driving systems from the Automobile Management Act in preparation for the commercialization of autonomous vehicles, expanding the current driving concept to include the use of autonomous systems. Additionally, the designation of child protection zones has been expanded to include facilities and places where children frequently visit as determined by local government ordinances, and the scope of elderly and disabled protection zones has been expanded from some elderly and disabled welfare facilities to all, ensuring the safety of vulnerable road users. Furthermore, reasons for confiscating foreign driver’s licenses when issuing domestic driver’s licenses to holders of foreign licenses have been stipulated.

The National Police Agency stated, "We will continue to focus on strengthening pedestrian rights to establish a love-centered traffic culture rather than a vehicle-centered one." They added, "Starting with side roads in April, the obligation for drivers to protect pedestrians will be expanded to pedestrian-priority roads and roads outside apartment complexes in July." They also urged, "With this revision, especially on side roads, violations of pedestrian protection obligations and violations such as speed limits in newly designated protection zones may result in increased fines, so we ask for special attention to safe driving."

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