President Kwon Byung-yoon of Korea Transportation Safety Authority speaks at the 12th Transportation Culture Development Rally.

Dignitaries, including Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-mee, Chairman Park Soon-ja of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee and Deputy Minister Chung Kyung-hoon of the Transport and Logistics Office at the MOLIT,attend the 12th Transportation Culture Development Rally at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, on June 4. (Photos: TS)

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) hosted a rally to arouse public attention of traffic accidents and renew public awareness toward traffic safety on the occasion of June when citizines typically hit the road in higher numbers.

The 12th Transportation Culture Development Rally, organized by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TS), took place at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, on June 4. The rally coincided with a ceremony to present awards to those who have contributed to the development of transportation culture and events to enjoy indirect and direct experience with traffic safety equipment installed outside.

In his speech, President Kwon Byung-yoon of Korea Transportation Safety Authority urged participants to redouble efforts to reduce traffic accidents.

During the rally, held under the catchphrase “A Safe World without Traffic Accidents, a Happy Korea,” the participants took time out to comply with various rules – “No! Drunken Driving; No! Dozing at the Wheel; Yes! Wear Safety Belts at All Seats; and Yes! Keep Safety Speed at 5030.”

The coveted Industrial Merit Medal went to Yoon Ik-jin, an advisor of the exemplary drivers’ association, affiliated with the Sujeong Police Station in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do. He was among the 12 people who received a variety of government orders and prizes in recognition of their exemplary roles in promoting awareness toward traffic safety.

Yoon has been credited with conducting volunteer activities such as traffic guidance in major congest city intersections during morning and afternoon rush hours since 1994, and assisting snow removal in winter, contributing to establishing of advanced traffic regimes.

Spectators were given a chance to have a hands-in experience at publicity booths and with traffic safety equipment installed outside COEX between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. so they could have direct and indirect knowledge on the significance of traffic safety. For instance, they were given an opportunity to experience the escaping of an overturned vehicle and drunken driving via virtual reality.

Deputy Minister Chung Kyunghoon of the Transport and Logistics Office at the MOLIT said, “I extend tanks to volunteers such as civic organizations who have contributed to preventing traffic accidents and developing traffic culture.”

He called for people to make following traffic regulations part of their daily life and put it into practice with keen concern so that Korea can be a safe place without traffic accidents, he added.

 
Operation of ‘Road Safety Public Participatory Corps’

The MOLIT announced a plan to recruit a team of public volunteers to monitor dangerous road situations and suggest policies related to road safety in cooperation with Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, TS, and the General Insurance Association of Korea.

Anyone who is interested in road safety can apply to participate on the team, tentatively named “Road Safety Public Participatory Corps,” during the period between May 14 and May 28. The team will have a membership of 200 people.
Members of the Road Safety Public Participatory Corps will be allowed to report dangerous situations such as the destruction of road and safety facilities via a smartphone app after undergoing a brief orientation.

They will also play roles such as recommending policies related to road safety and communicating with government departments and related organizations concerning publicities on road safety and road management and operation.

The Road Safety Public Participatory Corps will be operated for one year between June and next May. Each corps member will be paid according to his or her performance outcomes, and exemplary members will be presented with the MOLIT minister’s prize and other awards.