Gangwon-do, Nationwide First to Flexibly Implement Vehicle Speed Limits in 'School Zones'

Vulnerable Traffic Accident Hours (7 AM to 8 PM) at 30 km/h
Nighttime (8 PM to 7 AM) and Holidays (Sat-Sun) at 50 km/h
'Failure to Consider Road Characteristics Causes Resident Inconvenience' Concerns Persist

Photo materials [Asia Economy DB]

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] Amid the enforcement of 'school zone' vehicle speed limits on roads around kindergartens and elementary schools, Gangwon Province has decided to pilot and then expand the flexible operation of 'school zone' speed limits for the first time nationwide, following continuous criticism that the excessive and uniform application without considering road characteristics causes inconvenience to residents.

Gangwon Province plans to select locations within school zones where pedestrian traffic accident risks are low and flexibly operate vehicle speed limits by time and day for three months.

The province, however, intends to limit the easing of restrictions to areas that cause excessive inconvenience to residents rather than a blanket removal, and will decide on implementation after holding resident briefings and police traffic safety committee meetings, including gathering parents' opinions.

During vulnerable traffic accident times such as school commute hours (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.), the current speed limit of 30 km/h will be maintained, while at night (8 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next day) and on holidays (Saturdays and Sundays), the speed limit will be adjusted to 50 km/h.

For permanent speed increases, the province will closely review 429 main roads and child protection zones with the provincial police agency, and plans to immediately apply a speed limit of 40 km/h starting February next year where appropriate.

The provincial autonomous police committee will select two pilot operation sites based on recommendations from the chiefs of three police stations with heavy traffic?Chuncheon, Wonju, and Gangneung.

Regarding this, with a budget of about 130 million won, the province will install guide signs and variable speed limit signs within this year, and after analyzing the pilot operation effects and collecting opinions from related agencies such as road management authorities, will consider whether to expand the program.

Previously, the nationwide vehicle speed limit regulations in child protection zones were uniformly strengthened following the revision of the Road Traffic Act in March 2020 and the full implementation of the 'Safe Speed 5030' policy in April last year.

However, there have been many complaints that flexible adjustments are necessary for sections where pedestrian safety is sufficiently secured and pedestrian safety is less relevant. In April this year, the Presidential Transition Committee's Political, Judicial, and Administrative Affairs Subcommittee proposed 'school zone speed limits' to the National Police Agency.

Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Province, stated, "We will promote regulatory innovation on the side of the residents," adding, "The flexible operation of school zone speed limits will be pursued within the scope that does not negatively affect children's safety."

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