Samdong Intersection in Changwon, Haman Kaya Crossing, and More
The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency is moving forward with improvements to traffic safety facilities at 25 high-risk accident locations within the province.
According to the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency, the number of traffic accidents in the province has been steadily decreasing: 14,093 cases in 2010, 13,516 in 2015, 11,591 in 2020, 10,482 in 2024, and 8,732 as of the end of October 2025.
The number of fatal accidents has also shown a consistent decline, from 470 deaths in 2010, 390 in 2015, 273 in 2020, 227 in 2024, and 192 as of the end of October 2025.
However, there are still many locations with a high risk of traffic accidents, such as intersections with abnormal structures, areas with a risk of vehicles driving in the wrong direction, places where sidewalks and roadways are not clearly separated, and spots with frequent single-vehicle and motorcycle accidents.
A meeting is being held to select proactive improvement locations such as frequent traffic accident sites in the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency
In response, since October, the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency has used the Traffic Accident Analysis System (TAAS) to analyze "locations with frequent traffic accidents and complaints," identifying 141 accident-prone areas. Through consultations with the agency’s traffic safety facility managers, the Autonomous Police Committee, and experts from the Korea Road Traffic Authority, 25 locations were ultimately selected.
The selected sites are mainly around traditional markets, single-lane roads in towns and rural areas where sidewalks and roadways are not separated, intersections with geometric inconsistencies, areas at risk of wrong-way driving, and locations with frequent complaints from local residents.
Officials from the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency and related parties are inspecting the Samdong Intersection in Changwon, one of the locations with frequent traffic accidents and numerous complaints. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency
Among them is the Samdong Intersection, which serves as a main route for students commuting to the Changwon Education Complex. This site has seen increased traffic due to frequent passage of large vehicles and the move-in of residents to a new large apartment complex.
Also included is the Haman Kaya Crossing Intersection, where the road splits into eight directions and a traditional market is located nearby, creating a high risk of accidents involving elderly pedestrians.
The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency plans to develop improvement measures through on-site inspections and expert consultations, and will work in cooperation with local governments and road management authorities to swiftly implement facility upgrades.
The entire improvement process will be documented in management records to serve as a reference for similar areas or sections in the future.
Kim Jongcheol, Commissioner of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency, stated, "We will shift the paradigm from post-accident improvements at fatal accident sites to proactive prevention activities, making Gyeongnam safer from traffic accidents."
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