[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] On the 15th, Jeonnam Provincial Council member Woo Seung-hee pointed out the practice of using only red color for anti-slip pavement in school zones during the provincial administration questioning session and urged improvements to allow installation in various colors.
According to the materials submitted by Councilor Woo Seung-hee, the Ministry of Public Safety and Security installs anti-slip pavement in red color only at points where anti-slip function is necessary according to the "Integrated Guidelines for Protection Zones for Children, Elderly, and Disabled," and does not install anti-slip pavement on side roads with speed limits of 30 km/h or less.
However, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's "Guidelines for Installation and Management of Road Safety Facilities" states that the color of anti-slip pavement should use the road pavement color, but red is used to enhance hazard recognition and guide the line of sight.
After the "Min-sik Law," the government and local governments prioritized the installation of traffic safety facilities such as unmanned enforcement cameras, traffic signals, safety signs, speed control, and anti-slip facilities in school zones, and implemented laws that strengthen penalties for traffic accidents.
Accordingly, Jeonnam Province is currently promoting the improvement of safety facilities in school zones, installation of enforcement cameras, installation of yellow traffic lights, etc., with a budget of about 17.9 billion won for the school zone facility improvement project this year.
However, Councilor Woo Seung-hee strongly criticized that school zones with red road surfaces are not noticeable and difficult to recognize upon entry, and that the effect of yellow traffic lights is limited when installed alone.
Councilor Woo pointed out, "Except for points where anti-slip function is necessary, there is no need to paint in red, but school zones for children, elderly, and disabled have been painted red habitually based on simple guidelines without legal grounds, and anti-slip pavement has been installed unnecessarily, resulting in budget waste."
He also stated, "According to confirmation from central government agencies by Jeonnam Province, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety is conducting a research project on a standard model for school zone maintenance, and the Korea Road Traffic Authority agrees on the necessity of painting colors other than red but says it is possible only after related guideline changes."
He continued, "Jeonnam Province should install various colors such as yellow through residents' opinion collection for visual effects in the school zone improvement project, and take measures to allow diverse installations in elderly and disabled protection zones according to conditions, and recommend the central government to improve the nationwide protection zone installation projects."
Finally, he emphasized, "Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education and educational sites should also pay attention to the installation of school zones and cooperate with local governments by reflecting the opinions of parents and students so that children can be protected more safely."
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