Police seek to relax school zone speed limits after hours
Quick Look
- South Korean police are proposing to relax school zone speed limits, currently 30 kph, during off-hours when children are less likely to be present.
- A research project has been requested to study revisions, with discussions focusing on late-night or holiday hours.
- Data shows half of child pedestrian accidents in Seoul school zones occurred between 2-6 p.m. over three years.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Police are considering relaxing school zone speed limits, currently set at 30 kph, during times when children are not present. This move is prompted by driver concerns and supported by a government task force suggestion. Data indicates a significant portion of child accidents occur during specific afternoon hours.
SEOUL, May 19 (Yonhap) -- Police are pushing to relax school zone speed limits, currently set at 30 kph, in after hours when chances of accidents involving children are slim, information obtained by Yonhap News Agency showed Tuesday.
The Korean National Police Agency asked the Korea Road Traffic Authority earlier this month to conduct a research project regarding measures to revise speed limits in school zones.
Vehicle speeds in school zones are limited to 30 kph, but some drivers question the strict speed regulations during hours when young students are not out and about.
The police move is expected to gain momentum as a government task force has also suggested a need to loosen school-zone speed limits. Current discussions are reportedly focused on raising speed limits during late-night hours or holidays, when children are less likely to be present.
Police data showed that about half of the pedestrian accidents involving children in Seoul's school zones over the past three years occurred between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
The police have already been implementing relaxed speed regulations in 78 of roughly 16,000 school zones nationwide since September 2023, raising the speed limit to 40 to 50 kph between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Korea Road Traffic Authority will complete its research project on revising school zone speed limits.
Likely · Within months
Discussions will continue regarding raising speed limits during late-night hours or holidays.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific criteria will be used to determine 'after hours' or 'holidays' for relaxed limits?
- What is the projected timeline for the Korea Road Traffic Authority's research project?
- What are the potential risks and benefits of raising speed limits in school zones, even during off-hours?
- Will there be public consultation on these proposed changes?
