"Creating Safe Routes to and from School" National Police Agency Promotes Children's Traffic Safety Measures

Operation for 8 Weeks During Summer Vacation

The National Police Agency will implement child traffic safety measures starting from the 31st, focusing on children's school routes before the new semester, including inspections of child protection zones (school zones) and the operation of children's school buses.

This action comes in response to a slight increase in child traffic accidents compared to last year, despite an overall decrease in traffic accidents in the first half of this year. In fact, total traffic accidents decreased by 4.9%, from 1,219 cases in the first half of last year to 1,159 cases this year, but child traffic accidents rose from 7 to 9 cases. There were also 2 child traffic accidents within school zones.

The police plan to conduct inspections over eight weeks during the vacation period, checking safety facilities installed in school zones and the operation status of children's school buses.

First, before the new semester, new traffic safety facilities such as yellow crosswalks and start/end point markings will be installed mainly in traffic accident-prone areas within school zones to enhance driver visibility. Additionally, for sections of school routes where sidewalks are absent or narrow, additional pedestrian space will be secured to improve the walking environment for children.

Also, during the vacation period when demand for private academies increases, a joint inspection team with related ministries will be formed to check compliance at facilities operating children's school buses. Intensive on-site guidance and crackdowns will be conducted on operations without accompanying guardians on board.

After the semester begins, on-site meetings will be held involving school officials, parents, children, and experts to identify and improve vulnerable factors along school routes. During school commute hours, police officers, Green Mothers, and model drivers will be concentrated in school zones to provide pedestrian safety guidance.

A National Police Agency official stated, “The reality is that children's safety is not guaranteed even in child protection zones, causing great concern among students and parents. We will reorganize the areas around schools and, at the start of the new semester, conduct strong crackdowns on safety-threatening behaviors such as drunk driving to do our best to prevent any more tragic accidents.”