Full Enforcement of the "Minsik Law"... Special Caution Needed at School Zone Crosswalks During Dismissal Time

6 out of 10 School Zone Child Traffic Accidents Occur During After-School Hours
72.6% Happen While Children Are Crossing
Majority of Accidents Caused by Driver Negligence
Maximum Life Sentence for Child Fatalities

Seongnae Elementary School Child Protection Zone LED Signboard

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The so-called "Minsik Law," which imposes heavier penalties for traffic accidents caused by violating the duty of safe driving in children's protection zones (school zones), was officially enforced on the 25th. In particular, since frequent accidents occur at crosswalks in front of schools during dismissal time, drivers are required to exercise special caution.

According to the Road Traffic Authority's Traffic Accident Analysis System (TAAS) on the 25th, from 2016 to 2018, a total of 1,189 "vehicle-to-pedestrian" child traffic accidents occurred in school zones, resulting in 19 deaths and 1,227 injuries. By time, 62.4% of child traffic accidents in school zones were concentrated during dismissal time. There were 382 cases (8 deaths) between 4 PM and 6 PM, and 360 cases (2 deaths) between 2 PM and 4 PM. The number of accidents during school arrival time, from 8 AM to 10 AM, was relatively lower at 165 cases (1 death). This is analyzed to be because dismissal times vary by grade, making safety guidance difficult, and drivers' concentration tends to decline relatively in the afternoon.

By accident type, accidents involving children crossing the street were the most frequent at 863 cases (72.6%). The late Kim Minsik (9), the namesake of the "Minsik Law," was also involved in an accident while crossing a crosswalk. Additionally, causes of accidents included drivers violating pedestrian protection duties in 559 cases (47.0%), failure to fulfill safe driving obligations in 231 cases (19.4%), and signal violations in 206 cases (17.4%), indicating that driver negligence accounted for a significant portion.

In summary, the point where drivers need to be most cautious when driving in school zones is the crosswalks in school zones during dismissal time. Since children may suddenly run out and jaywalking can occur, it is necessary to drive as slowly as possible in school zones and to "stop first" in front of crosswalks. In particular, defensive driving is required by focusing on forward observation with the mindset that "a child can come onto the road at any time."

The Minsik Law consists of the amended Road Traffic Act, which mandates the installation of speed cameras, speed bumps, and traffic lights within school zones, and the amended Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, which strengthens penalties for traffic accidents. The main provisions impose up to life imprisonment or imprisonment of three years or more if a driver causes a child’s death in a school zone due to failure to fulfill safety duties, and for injury cases, imprisonment from one year to fifteen years or fines ranging from 5 million to 30 million won.