"Stop Temporarily When Turning Right"... Seoul Police to Conduct Guidance and Crackdown Starting from the 12th

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 10th that it will conduct special traffic safety activities, including guidance and enforcement, starting from the 12th in accordance with the enforcement of the revised Road Traffic Act, which strengthens the obligation to protect pedestrians.

The core of the revised Road Traffic Act is the expansion of the obligation to stop temporarily in front of crosswalks not only when pedestrians are "crossing" but also when they are "about to cross." At crosswalks without traffic signals within children's protection zones, drivers must stop temporarily regardless of whether pedestrians are crossing. Violators will be fined 60,000 KRW (based on passenger cars) and receive 10 penalty points.

Considering that many citizens are not aware of these changes even though the law's enforcement is imminent, the police will focus on safety activities centered on publicity and guidance, such as distributing promotional materials and providing traffic guidance. However, violations that pose a high risk of pedestrian traffic accidents will be strictly enforced. After a one-month guidance period, year-round enforcement activities will be conducted to ensure the effectiveness of the legal revision.

The new law also expands the number of traffic violations subject to fines to 26 items. Currently, fines are imposed on 13 traffic violations, such as speeding and signal violations, when violations are proven through video recording devices like unmanned traffic enforcement equipment. Previously, even if there were public reports from citizens, it was difficult to process cases without legal grounds, but the revised law adds items such as illegal U-turns and violations of crossing and reversing prohibitions. Accordingly, the police plan to strengthen enforcement of traffic violations using video enforcement equipment such as camcorders.

According to the police, the number of traffic accident deaths in Seoul last year was 240, of which the proportion of pedestrian deaths was 51.3%, higher than the national average of 34.9%. Also, among pedestrian fatal accidents that occurred in Seoul over the three years from 2019, an average of 29.7% occurred at crosswalks. A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official said, "The core of the revised Road Traffic Act is securing pedestrian safety," emphasizing, "For a pedestrian-centered traffic culture to take root quickly, voluntary compliance with the law by citizens is essential."

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