Seoul to introduce interactive traffic signs in school zones

SEOUL, Sept. 15 (Yonhap) -- The city of Seoul will introduce interactive traffic
signs in children's safety zones next year that display frowning or smiling faces
depending on an oncoming car's speed, government officials said Tuesday.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government adopted the idea after it was first proposed by
a local resident in an effort to prevent traffic accidents.
The signs were first set up in Germany, where they have been found to be more
effective in reducing drivers' speeds than traditional signs that display speed
numerically, officials said. Drivers were apparently more willing to react to
these images than to numbers, they said.
The signs are programmed to display a frowning face along with the word "slow" to
drivers who exceed the 30-kilometer speed limit around child safety zones. A
smiling face appears when drivers slow down or keep to the speed limit.
The city will conduct test-runs of the signs at five local school zones beginning
next February.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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