[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Kim Hyungsoo, a member of the Buk-gu Council of Gwangju Metropolitan City (Ilgok, Samgak, Maegok, Yongbong-dong), pointed out on the 26th during the 2020 Safety City Committee administrative audit that “LED crosswalks and pedestrian signal voice guidance traffic safety facilities have been installed in various locations within the district, but they were not functioning properly and were left unattended.”
The LED crosswalks were installed at 20 locations in Buk-gu in 2012. When first installed, they were intended to help vehicle drivers easily recognize crosswalks at night, but due to numerous complaints such as obstruction of drivers’ visibility, no additional installations have been made, and only maintenance is being carried out.
Councilman Kim said, “The LED crosswalks initially received considerable media attention, but in the current situation where no additional installations are being made, the facilities are not maintained at all,” adding, “The LED crosswalks, which are not functioning and have become ineffective, should be addressed promptly for the safety of residents.”
He continued, “As in the unfortunate case of a fatal accident recently near an apartment complex in Unam-dong, Buk-gu, within a children protection zone, ordinary citizens are also exposed to the risk of safety accidents anywhere in the area,” emphasizing, “A thorough investigation of traffic safety facilities aimed at ensuring residents’ safety is necessary, and immediate action should be taken on neglected traffic facilities.”
In particular, he pointed out that the pedestrian signal voice guidance auxiliary devices, installed within children protection zones to prevent child traffic accidents, are not functioning in some locations and need immediate repair.
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