"Ultimately Due to Adult Negligence" Voices of Reflection on the 'Gwangju School Zone Tragedy'

Strengthened School Zone Penalties Under 'Minsik Law' Rendered Ineffective
"Drivers Must Be Self-Aware and Drive Carefully," Reflections
Experts Say "Gwangju Accident Clearly Shows 'Driver Priority' Mindset"

On the 17th, a 2-year-old girl who was going to daycare with her mother in a child protection zone in Gwangju was hit and killed by a cargo truck. The photo shows the bloodstained children's shoes left at the scene of the accident. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporters Seunggon Han and Seulgi Kim] A 2-year-old girl was fatally struck by a vehicle in a school zone in Gwangju Metropolitan City, sparking growing public reflection that the accident was caused by adult negligence. In particular, there are voices of self-reflection pointing out that even with the 'Minsik-i Act,' which strengthens penalties for violations in school zones, it becomes useless if not followed.

On the 18th, the Gwangju Bukbu Police Station announced that a detention warrant had been issued for a man in his 50s, identified as A, on charges including causing death under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, after a family of three, including a 2-year-old girl, were injured or killed in a school zone.

According to the police, on the morning of the 17th at 8:43 a.m., A was driving an 8.5-ton cargo truck in a school zone in front of an apartment complex in Unam-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, when he hit four family members crossing the crosswalk.

The family was crossing the street to go to a nearby daycare center and paused for about 20 seconds midway on the crosswalk to watch for oncoming vehicles from the opposite direction.

Afterward, A, who was stopped on the roadway just before the crosswalk, failed to notice the family on the road and proceeded to drive the vehicle.

In police questioning, A reportedly stated, "I moved forward after seeing the vehicle ahead start moving. Because the driver's seat is high, I could not see the family."

The problem is that the location of the accident was the same place where, in May, an SUV struck a 7-year-old elementary school student, causing serious injuries.

Even after the accident, there were no pedestrian traffic lights installed at the crosswalk. Although speed bumps were newly installed to reduce vehicle speed, critics point out that these measures failed to prevent the recurrence of fatal accidents.

On the 17th, a 2-year-old girl who was on her way to daycare with her mother in a child protection zone in Gwangju was hit and killed by a cargo truck. The photo is a capture of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage at the time of the accident. Photo by Yonhap News

Given this situation, controversy has arisen over the effectiveness of the 'Minsik-i Act' (Road Traffic Act and Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes), which was created to protect children in school zones. Although the law was revised to strengthen penalties and raise awareness, critics argue that it is practically impossible to prevent accidents in urgent situations.

Additionally, according to the related law, traffic accident prevention devices must be installed in each school zone, but no such measures were in place at the accident site. The law mandates that local governments must install traffic lights and speed cameras in school zones. However, neither traffic lights nor speed cameras were installed at the location where the accident occurred.

The criticism arises because, although the law exists, adults who are supposed to follow it did not, leading to the accident. In response to the controversy, Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop apologized to the bereaved family of the 'child death school zone traffic accident' and promised to establish countermeasures.

In a post on his Facebook page that morning, the mayor said, "There was a serious accident here six months ago as well, and I am deeply sorry and feel a great responsibility for this shameful and sad reality where our children are not protected even in 'children protection zones.'"

He added, "I will visit the site personally to devise fundamental safety measures, but I ask drivers to be more attentive and cautious," and urged, "Traffic safety officials at the site should devise special preventive measures for high-risk accident areas."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This accident has raised calls for drivers who do not consider children in school zones to be more vigilant, along with voices of reflection.

Kim Min-hee (pseudonym), a 50-year-old office worker with 30 years of driving experience, said, "Since the 'Minsik-i Act' was enacted, I get very nervous every time I enter a school zone. I drive at speeds much lower than the limit and stay highly alert to avoid any accidents."

Kim said, "Even if it’s different elsewhere, school zones are places directly connected to children's lives, so I hope drivers drive with heightened awareness," emphasizing, "It is important to recognize that my negligence could ultimately take a child's life."

Another office worker in his 40s, Mr. Kim, bitterly remarked, "In the end, it’s the adults’ negligence. What good is the law if it’s not followed..."

Experts pointed out that this Gwangju school zone accident clearly showed the reality where vehicles take precedence over pedestrians.

Jeong Kyung-il, a traffic accident specialist lawyer, said in an interview with MBC Radio's 'Pyo Chang-won's News High Kick,' "The vehicle drivers were the decisive cause of this accident," adding, "If drivers adopt the mindset that 'children’s safety and lives come first in school zones' and 'it’s okay to be inconvenienced,' it could be a fundamental solution."

He continued, "(The Gwangju accident) was an accident that could have been entirely prevented, but ultimately it happened because drivers thought carelessly that 'pedestrians will naturally get out of the way' if vehicles proceed first," emphasizing, "If the law is followed, such accidents would not occur."