Seongnam City authorities introduced a variable speed limit system in specific school zones to balance pedestrian safety with traffic efficiency [1].
This policy addresses driver frustration caused by strict speed limits during late-night hours when children are not present. By adjusting limits based on the time of day, the city aims to reduce congestion and better reflect actual road usage patterns.
The system applies to three sections [1] near elementary schools along Wirye-daero and Wirye-seo-ro in the Wirye New Town area [1]. Under the regulations, the speed limit is set at 30 km/h [1] during the day, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. [1]. During the night, from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. [1], the limit increases to 50 km/h [1].
City officials said the change was made to reflect resident feedback and improve the overall flow of traffic. The measure has been in effect since April 2023 [1].
Some local residents expressed support for the flexibility, noting that many parents are also drivers who experience the inconvenience of the lower limits at night. Jo Ji-sun, a parent of an elementary school student in Seongnam, said, "Since we are parents but also drivers, we were experiencing the inconvenience. I wish it had been introduced sooner."
The variable system allows the city to maintain a high level of protection for students during peak school hours while removing unnecessary bottlenecks during the midnight hours. This approach seeks to increase driver compliance by ensuring that regulations are reasonable, and context-dependent.
“The speed limit is set at 30 km/h during the day, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.”
This shift represents a move toward 'smart' urban traffic management in South Korea, moving away from blanket restrictions toward data-driven, time-based regulations. By differentiating between high-risk daytime hours and low-risk nighttime hours, the city attempts to maintain the integrity of school zone safety while reducing the likelihood of drivers ignoring limits due to perceived inefficiency.
