What Is the Secret Behind a 50% Decrease in Traffic Accident Deaths in Yeongdeungpo-gu?

Last Year, 11 Traffic Accident Deaths... Half of the 3-Year Average of 22... Traffic Safety Policy Achievements Based on Data of Accident-Prone Areas Including Pedestrian Environment Improvements... This Year, 3.1 Billion Won Invested to Ensure School Route Safety and Create Pedestrian-Friendly Streets

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) is challenging to achieve zero traffic accidents this year by investing 3.1 billion KRW in improving the pedestrian environment, following last year's achievement of halving the number of traffic accident fatalities.

According to the Yeongdeungpo Police Station, the number of traffic accident fatalities in the area last year was 11, a significant decrease from the annual average of 22 during the past three years (2016?2018).

This result is attributed to the district's traffic safety policies that effectively improved vulnerable areas based on data from accident-prone locations. Last year, the district focused on installing unmanned speed cameras, central barriers to prevent jaywalking, and pedestrian-priority roads.

Building on this momentum, the district will implement traffic safety policies worth 3.1 billion KRW this year. The core of this year's traffic policy is securing safe school routes and creating pedestrian-friendly streets.

First, based on last year's on-site surveys of elementary schools, the district will prepare customized improvement plans for each school to enhance the safety of school routes.

LED floor traffic signals will be installed around all elementary schools in the area. Colorful pedestrian paths and yellow carpets will be placed on school routes to increase student visibility for drivers, along with the installation of unmanned speed cameras, safety fences, anti-slip road surfaces, and central barriers to ensure pedestrian safety.

Additionally, the areas around Yeongdeungpo Station and Dangsan Station will be developed into "Youth Streets" that people want to walk through. Four side roads in the Yeongdeungpo Samgakji area will be converted into pedestrian-priority roads with colorful pedestrian paths, eliminating pedestrian hazards.

In September, on "Citizen's Day," Yeongjung-ro will be temporarily operated as a car-free street, showcasing a new look in front of Yeongdeungpo Station to residents first. Yeongjung-ro in front of Yeongdeungpo Station was transformed into an open pedestrian path last year after the removal of illegal street vendors.

Furthermore, along with the Safe Speed 5030 policy, road markings and safety signs will be installed to establish a culture of 50 km/h on main roads and 30 km/h on side roads and school zones within the district.

Facilities such as warning devices that sound when crossing on a red light, crosswalk shelters equipped with shade, benches, and floodlights will be gradually expanded to build a smart traffic system.

Since traffic safety is directly linked to residents' lives, the district plans to protect residents' safety with meticulous policies that do not tolerate a single traffic accident.

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, "Thanks to traffic policies based on objective data, we were able to reduce the number of traffic accident fatalities by half last year. We will do our best to create an environment where residents can travel safely this year as well."