Seoul to Lower Speed Limits in Downtown Area

Speed limits in downtown Seoul will be reduced next year in an effort to improve safety for pedestrians.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Sunday the new regulations will lower the speed limit in the city's downtown area from 60 km/h to 50 km/h, while a maximum speed of 30 km/h will be introduced on roads without pedestrian sidewalks. 

Authorities will replace speed limit signs by March next year and start enforcing the new rules from July after a 3-month grace period.

A city official said, "We need to improve safety for pedestrians, as they account for some 69 percent of traffic deaths in downtown Seoul, much higher than the city-wide average of 57 percent."