Gyeongnam Province Lowers Traffic Accident Death Rate... Full Implementation of Safe Speed '5030'

Road sign indicating a 30 km/h speed limit in Gyeongnam Province.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Gyeongsangnam-do announced on the 1st that it will implement the 'Gyeongnam Safe Speed 5030' policy to reduce traffic accident fatality rates.

Safe Speed 5030 is a policy that lowers the maximum speed limit in areas with high traffic accident occurrences and will be introduced starting from the 17th of next month.

The speed limit for vehicles on general roads will be reduced from 60 km/h to 50 km/h or less. Around residential areas and elementary schools, the speed limit will be set at 30 km/h.

Since 2018, the nationwide pilot operation of Safe Speed 5030 has shown a clear decrease in the number of traffic accident fatalities.

According to an empirical investigation by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, the total number of traffic accidents in 68 locations nationwide decreased by 13.3%. The number of fatalities dropped by an impressive 63.6%.

Accidents involving elderly drivers, a rising social issue, also decreased. When elderly drivers drove at 60 km/h, their cognitive ability averaged 49.1%, meaning they failed to recognize more than half of surrounding objects. However, when the speed was lowered to 50 km/h, cognitive ability rose to 57.6%, and at 30 km/h, it increased further to 67.2%, showing significantly improved recognition.

To ensure the successful establishment of Safe Speed 5030, the province will conduct relay promotions in 18 cities and counties together with the police stations starting this month. With a total project budget of 6.3 billion KRW, 8,932 informational signboards and 13,023 road markings will be installed to inform residents about the policy.

The province and the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency will enforce speeding regulations starting in July after a three-month grace period.

Heo Dongsik, Director of the Urban Transportation Bureau, said, “It is now time to shift the traffic environment paradigm from car-centered to people-first. To reduce traffic accident fatalities, the most important factor is a change in residents’ awareness of safety and their active cooperation.”