The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has launched an investigation into the causes of a 1.8-fold increase in traffic accidents within school zones last year compared with the previous year.
The ministry began analyzing the figures together with the Korean National Police Agency and other organizations in connection with the rise in school zone traffic accidents, sources said Wednesday. "We are analyzing the causes, including whether accidents have actually increased," a ministry official said. "Although we are not yet at the stage of discussing specific additional measures, we plan to explore various options, including stronger enforcement against illegal parking and stopping."
According to the National Police Agency, traffic accidents involving children within school zones totaled 927 last year. This represents a 76.2% increase from 526 in 2024. While the number of fatalities remained unchanged at one, the number of injured rose from 556 to 1,013. The most common type of accident was "failure to comply with safe driving obligations."
The variable speed limit system, which was recently implemented in earnest, has been cited as a cause of the increase in school zone traffic accidents. Under the system, speed limits are set differently for school commuting hours and other times. Analysts say drivers are likely to be confused because speed limits vary by time of day. The variable speed limit was piloted at eight schools, including Kwangwoon Elementary School in Seoul, in August 2023. It is currently operated at approximately 70 schools.
The increase in closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras has also been pointed to as a contributing factor. With more advanced surveillance systems in place, minor accidents that previously went unrecorded may now be detected, officials said.
Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry is investing 14.6 billion won ($10.7 million) in special disaster and safety grants starting in March this year to install sidewalks at 44 school zones and upgrade traffic safety facilities such as protective fences at 104 locations. The ministry also plans to expand investment in safety infrastructure within school zones in the second half of this year based on demand surveys.
