Eunpyeong-gu Prepares Traffic Safety Facilities for 'Safe Speed 5030' Implementation

Maintenance Completion Scheduled for 16 Lines Covering 47.6km by This November

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Eunpyeong-gu (District Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) will carry out maintenance of traffic safety facilities on side roads including five routes within the district in line with the implementation of 'Safe Speed 5030' in April next year.

'Safe Speed 5030' is a policy that manages the maximum speed limit allowed for drivers on urban roads to protect pedestrians and other vulnerable road users and reduce traffic accidents. The speed limit on roads is set at 50 km/h as a principle, but on roads where pedestrian protection is prioritized, such as residential side streets, the speed limit is lowered to 30 km/h.

Following the amendment of the Road Traffic Act Enforcement Rules in April last year, after a two-year grace period, the policy will be fully implemented starting April 17 next year.

According to the 'Safe Speed 5030' policy, 11 arterial road routes including Tongil-ro, Jeungsan-ro, and Yeonseo-ro will have their speed limits reduced from 60 km/h to 50 km/h, while side roads including five routes such as Galhyeon-ro, Yeokmal-ro, and Baekryeonsan-ro will have their speed limits lowered from 60 km/h or 40 km/h to 30 km/h.

The construction carried out by Eunpyeong-gu involves changing and replacing speed limit signs (including the installation of 197 new signs) and road surface markings (including the installation of 1,295 new markings) to the adjusted speed limits. The construction period is from September to November this year, and the construction on the 11 arterial road routes will be carried out by Seoul City (Western Road Office) starting from September.

According to the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, the probability of pedestrians sustaining serious injuries is 92.6% at 60 km/h, 72.7% at 50 km/h, and significantly decreases to 15.4% at 30 km/h.

District Mayor Kim Mi-kyung stated, “Through this Safe Speed 5030 construction, we expect to greatly contribute to reducing traffic accidents and creating a pedestrian-centered safe traffic environment.”