Daejeon, South Korea – A series of unauthorized traffic signals installed throughout Daejeon has led to significant confusion among drivers and a substantial waste of public funds. The city has been forced to remove and replace these non-compliant signals, which were initially installed with the intention of improving traffic flow and convenience for residents.
Five-light signals, designed to indicate turns and U-turns, have been a particular point of contention. These signals, while installed in 2010 to accommodate drivers, have been deemed illegal under South Korea's Road Traffic Act. The city has begun removing these signals and replacing them with standard three-light signals, along with supplementary signs indicating when U-turns are permitted.
The issue has raised concerns about potential legal liabilities. In the event of an accident involving a driver who has made a U-turn based on a five-light signal, the other party involved may not be held liable for a signal violation as the original signal is not recognized under the law.
The costs associated with replacing these unauthorized signals are substantial. The city estimates that each replacement costs approximately 2.7 million won. With six locations already replaced and ten more scheduled for upgrades, the total cost is expected to reach millions of won.
Similarly, vertical two-color signals, often used at pedestrian crossings, have also been found to be in violation of the Road Traffic Act. In a recent court case, a motorcyclist was not held liable for hitting a pedestrian while the two-color signal was red. The court ruled that the signal was not an official traffic control device and therefore could not be used as evidence of a traffic violation.
"While these signals were installed with good intentions, they have inadvertently created legal loopholes that can leave drivers vulnerable," said a local police official. "The city is committed to replacing all unauthorized signals as quickly as possible to ensure the safety of all road users."
Critics argue that the city should have conducted more thorough research before installing the unauthorized signals and that the resulting waste of public funds is unacceptable. They call for a more comprehensive review of traffic infrastructure to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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