[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] The Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency and the Jeonnam Autonomous Police Committee announced on the 6th that the Road Traffic Act, which strengthens pedestrian protection obligations such as expanding the duty to stop temporarily in front of crosswalks, will be enforced from the 12th.
Last year, the number of traffic accident fatalities was 2,916, showing a decreasing trend annually, but the proportion of pedestrian traffic accident fatalities remains high at 34.9%.
Accordingly, the National Police Agency prioritized pedestrian safety and expanded the duty to stop temporarily in front of crosswalks not only when pedestrians are "crossing" but also when they are "about to cross."
In crosswalks without traffic signals within children protection zones, the obligation to stop temporarily will be enforced regardless of whether pedestrians are crossing or not.
From now on, drivers must drive safely by watching not only when pedestrians are crossing the crosswalk but also when they are about to cross.
If violated, drivers will be fined 60,000 KRW (based on passenger cars) and receive 10 penalty points.
Additionally, to ensure the safety of children, who have relatively lower ability to respond to dangerous situations, drivers must stop temporarily at crosswalks without traffic signals within children protection zones regardless of pedestrian crossing status.
Violation of this will also result in a fine of 60,000 KRW (based on passenger cars) and 10 penalty points for the driver.
Furthermore, pedestrian priority roads will be introduced, and pedestrian protection obligations will be imposed on drivers even in places that are not roads, such as within apartment complexes, to secure pedestrian safety.
In this regard, the police will designate a one-month safety campaign period focused on guidance and publicity nationwide starting from the 12th, and actively promote through promotional videos, banners, card news, etc., until the amended law is established as a traffic culture.
A traffic official stated, "Through the enforcement of this Road Traffic Act, drivers must always check for pedestrians in front of crosswalks," and added, "We hope this will be an opportunity to establish a culture where pedestrians have priority over vehicles."
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