KOTI - Korea Transport institute

The number of road deaths in 2018 is 3,781, 9.7% reduction from that of 2017. This achievement was possible by the central government’s traffic safety policy efforts. The contributing policies are more penalty on driving under influence, mandatory seatbelt for all seats, 5030 speed limit program, school zone, village zone, etc. These programs or policies were supported by central government’s traffic rule amendment and matching fund aid to local cities. To continue this road death reduction, local governments’ role is as important, because 72% of the road deaths were on local roads under the management of local cities.

The traffic safety targets of the government are reducing road deaths under 2,000 and pedestrian deaths under 1,000 by 2022. To reach the targets, the local cities’ traffic safety should be fast improved. Local cities have different socio-economic characteristics, so the policies should be customized. Local governments should develop their programs, and the central government should support them by rule amendments and financial support.

This study assessed local cities’ traffic safety policy systems, developed the manual for lowering speed limits, and suggested the way how to prevent illegal parking on fire truck paths. Through intensive investigation of pedestrian crash data, it found critical crash factor combinations on road deaths. Based on them, safety improvement measures were suggested for types of the combinations.

Road crashes are known to be highly related to driver errors. However, the human errors are more likely when they are combined with low-quality road environments. Thus, public authorities should take more efforts to improve road environments. Local governments should develop programs and measures, and the central government support them by improving legal framework and funding.