In a proactive effort to reduce traffic accidents involving children, a district office in Busan has implemented innovative safety measures in front of Yeonpo Elementary School. The main objective of these measures is to address the frequent car accidents that occurred due to the narrow sidewalk and adjacent downhill slope, which often resulted in cars speeding across the road.
One of the most notable additions is the introduction of a “smart crosswalk,” equipped with devices focused on child safety. This crosswalk incorporates a unique feature that deactivates smartphones within a one-meter radius, aiming to discourage children from absentmindedly walking onto the road while using their phones. To ensure compliance, the school requires students to install a specific app that allows the device to detect and deactivate nearby phone screens.
Several other safety measures have also been implemented to enhance pedestrian protection and driver awareness. The crosswalk has been widened, accompanied by the installation of an LED sign that alerts drivers to prioritize pedestrians. In addition, a sign reminding drivers of the 30 kilometers-per-hour speed limit has been placed, along with surveillance cameras to monitor the area.
To further emphasize safety, a voice recording has been added to remind pedestrians on the crosswalk not to enter the road. Furthermore, LED guidance lights have been installed to increase visibility during nighttime hours. For visually-impaired pedestrians, a bumpy platform has been included to ensure awareness of the crosswalk location.
Statistics from the Road Traffic Authority highlight the pressing need for such safety measures. In 2022 alone, 933 individuals lost their lives in traffic accidents while walking on roads. Disturbingly, a study conducted by the local think tank Samsung Traffic Safety Research Institute found that smartphones were a significant factor in 61.7 percent of 1,791 distracted pedestrian accident cases.
It is evident that the increasing trend of walking while absorbed in smartphones, often referred to as “smombies” (a combination of “smartphone” and “zombie”), poses a considerable risk. The implementation of these new safety measures in front of Yeonpo Elementary School serves as a commendable effort to prioritize the well-being of children and minimize the tragic consequences of traffic accidents.
The innovative safety measures implemented in front of Yeonpo Elementary School in Busan reflect the growing concern over pedestrian safety, particularly with regards to children. These measures aim to address the frequent car accidents that occurred in the area due to the narrow sidewalk and adjacent downhill slope.
One of the notable additions is the introduction of a “smart crosswalk” that incorporates devices focused on child safety. This crosswalk has a unique feature that deactivates smartphones within a one-meter radius, discouraging children from walking onto the road while using their phones. To ensure compliance, the school requires students to install a specific app that allows the device to detect and deactivate nearby phone screens.
Other safety measures have also been implemented to enhance pedestrian protection and driver awareness. The crosswalk has been widened, and an LED sign has been installed to alert drivers to prioritize pedestrians. A sign reminding drivers of the 30 kilometers-per-hour speed limit has been placed, and surveillance cameras monitor the area for added security.
To further emphasize safety, a voice recording has been added to remind pedestrians not to enter the road. LED guidance lights have been installed to increase visibility during nighttime hours, and a bumpy platform has been included to ensure awareness of the crosswalk location for visually-impaired pedestrians.
These measures were implemented in response to alarming statistics from the Road Traffic Authority. In 2022 alone, 933 individuals lost their lives in traffic accidents while walking on roads. A study conducted by the local think tank Samsung Traffic Safety Research Institute found that smartphones were a significant factor in 61.7 percent of distracted pedestrian accident cases.
The increasing trend of walking while absorbed in smartphones, known as “smombies,” poses a significant risk to pedestrians. The implementation of these new safety measures in front of Yeonpo Elementary School showcases a commendable effort to prioritize the well-being of children and minimize the tragic consequences of traffic accidents.
For more information on pedestrian safety and traffic accident prevention, you can visit National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or World Health Organization. These organizations provide valuable insights and resources on road safety practices and initiatives.