It was reported that there was an economic loss of 10 trillion 344 billion won in 2007, as much as figure to 1.15% of GDP and 6.6% of national budget, because of traffic accidents on the roads. This statistics shows why government should drive forward road traffic safety policy as primary policy issue.
Because 83.3% of total road length belongs to local roads, 82.6% of total traffic accidents occur on local roads, and 64.5% of total fatalities take place on local roads, it is very important to improve the traffic safety of local roads.
The central government is carrying out several programs to reduce traffic accidents on local roads; program of reducing the black spots, program of improving the structure of dangerous roads, program of reinforcing the safety zone, and program of creating the safe pedestrian environment.
However, a few problems have been pointed out with regard to program effectiveness and implementation system because there is no systemic verification of program performance and effectiveness, and evaluation results are not adequately reflected to program planning.
This report not only conducts comprehensive evaluation of 4 programs that are related with local road structure improvement, but also suggests policy recommendations by putting the results together.
Firstly, it is required to establish the coordinating unit empowered to integrate and control the traffic safety policies being carried by various departments. Secondly, countermeasures are recommended to offer incentives to strengthen responsibility of local governments and secure budget more stably. Thirdly, it is necessary to enhance creditability and traffic statistics with timely manner. Fourthly, it is required to establish investigation system to find out causes of traffic accidents and to prevent recurrence of them by making use of traffic and road professionals. Lastly, it is suggested that government evaluate the efficiency of four programs and review the necessity of integrating national and local road programs to enhance efficiency of resource allocation.
Because 83.3% of total road length belongs to local roads, 82.6% of total traffic accidents occur on local roads, and 64.5% of total fatalities take place on local roads, it is very important to improve the traffic safety of local roads.
The central government is carrying out several programs to reduce traffic accidents on local roads; program of reducing the black spots, program of improving the structure of dangerous roads, program of reinforcing the safety zone, and program of creating the safe pedestrian environment.
However, a few problems have been pointed out with regard to program effectiveness and implementation system because there is no systemic verification of program performance and effectiveness, and evaluation results are not adequately reflected to program planning.
This report not only conducts comprehensive evaluation of 4 programs that are related with local road structure improvement, but also suggests policy recommendations by putting the results together.
Firstly, it is required to establish the coordinating unit empowered to integrate and control the traffic safety policies being carried by various departments. Secondly, countermeasures are recommended to offer incentives to strengthen responsibility of local governments and secure budget more stably. Thirdly, it is necessary to enhance creditability and traffic statistics with timely manner. Fourthly, it is required to establish investigation system to find out causes of traffic accidents and to prevent recurrence of them by making use of traffic and road professionals. Lastly, it is suggested that government evaluate the efficiency of four programs and review the necessity of integrating national and local road programs to enhance efficiency of resource allocation.