Seoul gov't to invest $23 million in road safety measures in wake of City Hall crash

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Seoul gov't to invest $23 million in road safety measures in wake of City Hall crash

Published: 24 Sep. 2024, 15:45

CHO JUNG-WOO
cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr

Cars pass by the steel fencing newly installed at the site of the fatal car accident near City Hall in downtown Seoul on Tuesday. The accident in July resulted in nine deaths. [NEWS1]

Road barriers will be installed in high-risk areas prone to accidents, as Seoul plans to improve road safety to prevent fatal accidents following the tragic car crash near City Hall on July 1.

A total of 30.8 billion won ($23 million) will be invested to enhance safety at 414 locations prone to accidents by 2025. Areas in need of road facility improvements will continue to be inspected and added.

As part of the move, LED traffic signs will be found on one-way streets in Seoul, with large stone flower pots and bollards being installed in busy open areas, such as around Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul.

Steel road barriers will be installed at 98 locations identified as high risk for casualties, including areas with sharp bends. These barriers are designed to protect pedestrians even if an 8-ton vehicle crashes into them at a speed of 55 kilometers per hour (34 miles per hour) at a 15-degree angle, according to the city government.

The Genesis G80 involved in the City Hall car crash weighed 1,825 kilograms (4,023 pounds) and was traveling at 107 kilometers per hour.

"The bollards can withstand the same level of impact as last time," Yoon Jong-jang, director of the city government’s transportation bureau, said.

Barriers have already been installed at the accident site near City Hall in downtown Seoul.

Sixteen open areas that regularly host large crowds — including Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Jung District and Gwanghwamun Square — will be equipped with large flower pots and bollards to prevent vehicle intrusion. Bollards will also be installed at some 250 low-lying crosswalks.

Yoon Jong-jang, director of the Seoul city government’s transportation bureau, announces plans to improve road safety, including the installation of barriers, bollards and LED traffic signs, during a press briefing held at City Hall in downtown Seoul on Tuesday. [NEWS1]

Yoon added that the city is also considering the installation of retractable bollards that can be hidden underground when not in use. These would be placed near the Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway in Jung District.

LED traffic signs will be installed on narrow, one-way back roads to reduce driver confusion. Signs at around 80 locations are set to be replaced this year.

Forty-four roads lacking pedestrian space and safety facilities — such as Madeul-ro in Dobong District, northern Seoul — will be expanded and improved, the city government said.

The city also plans to inspect traffic islands and collaborate with the police and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to develop measures related to concerns over senior drivers.

The tragic accident near Seoul City Hall in July resulted in the deaths of nine people, mostly office workers, and seven injuries. The Genesis G80 involved in the crash traveled 200 meters (656 feet) in the wrong direction on a one-way street near City Hall before crashing into sidewalk fencings, hitting pedestrians and colliding with two other cars.

Last month, police concluded that the accident was due to the driver’s poor driving skills rather than a vehicle defect as the driver claimed.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]