41% Decrease in Traffic Accidents in Protected Zones for Vulnerable Road Users in Incheon

Children Protection Zone Slow Zone
[Photo by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Traffic accidents within vulnerable road user zones in Incheon have decreased by 41% compared to last year.

According to traffic accident statistics from the Incheon Police Agency on the 15th, as of the end of last month, the number of traffic accidents occurring within vulnerable road user zones dropped from 43 cases during the same period last year to 25 cases (24 involving children, 1 involving an elderly person). The number of fatalities also decreased from 1 last year to 0 this year.

Vulnerable road user zones are designated areas to ensure the pedestrian safety of vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

So far, the Incheon city government has been strengthening traffic safety within these zones by installing customized traffic safety facilities that reflect the walking characteristics and safety risk factors of vulnerable road users, enhancing crosswalk lighting, and installing unmanned traffic enforcement equipment.

In particular, the "Slow Zone" is a space marked in yellow where vehicle access routes in front of school gates overlap with student commuting paths, encouraging vehicles to slow down. Installation is planned to be completed by the end of this month at 100 locations across 83 schools. In addition to improving visibility, materials with anti-slip coating have been used on the pavement to further prevent safety accidents involving children.

Next year, the city plans to improve traffic safety facilities such as protective zone signs, road markings, and speed bumps at 106 of the current 863 vulnerable road user zones (688 for children, 175 for the elderly).

Additionally, 20 crosswalk floodlights and 63 unmanned traffic enforcement devices will be installed in child protection zones, and 63 intersections will be maintained.

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