The South Korean police will enforce variable speed limits on Seohae Bridge in response to adverse weather conditions to prevent large-scale traffic accidents.
The National Police Agency of South Korea has announced the implementation of variable speed limits on the Seohae Bridge to mitigate the risk of traffic accidents caused by adverse weather conditions. Starting March 1, drivers will be required to adhere to speed limits that adjust according to weather and road conditions, utilizing technology such as Variable Speed Limit signs and section control equipment that was installed since October 2022. Under wet conditions or snowfall under 20mm, drivers must reduce their speed to 80% of the legal limit, while in heavy rain, snow, or fog with visibility under 100m, the limit drops to 50%.
In a bid to bolster enforcement, the police will deploy undercover patrol cars near the bridge during severe weather events. Additionally, they will utilize banners and electronic road signs to communicate messages about mandatory speed reduction and traffic regulation enforcement. This initiative is timely, considering that over the past three years, an average of 6.7 deaths have been recorded annually on highways due to sudden weather changes, in addition to numerous injuries from accidents related to slippery conditions. The police aim to establish a culture of safe driving by encouraging compliance with these new speed regulations during adverse weather conditions.
Moving forward, the police alongside the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport intend to expand this variable speed limit system to 121 other critical spots prone to icing. The Director of the Public Safety Traffic Bureau, Kim Ho-seung, has urged drivers to participate in fostering a safer driving environment by adhering to speed reductions based on weather and road conditions, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in enhancing traffic safety.
