Police to scrap tri-color arrow traffic lights

Police will dismantle the controversial tri-color arrow traffic lights at 53 intersections nationwide, including 11 locations in central Seoul.

Since the installment nearly a month ago, the red-yellow-green alternating arrow has been the cause of multiple accidents throughout the city.

“We will halt the expansion of the three-color traffic light system, and subject it to further review,” said National Police chief Cho Hyun-oh.

“There was significant public resistance to the lights. It was an excellent atmosphere for public relations at the public hearing last Friday, but still the majority of people were against the system and nearly 90 percent of respondents in an online survey disapproved of the system,” he said.

According to the chief, the traffic lights were a good system, but lacked initial promotion.

“Revoking the tri-color traffic light system, which took two years to develop, is a big blow to the police administration, but I believe it is important to follow the will of the people,” said Cho.

Under the tri-color system currently on trial operation, one arrow indicating a left turn flashes in three alternating colors, indicating stop, caution, and turn left. Under the existing system, an arrow indicating a left flashes only in green, signaling to drivers to turn left when the light is on and to stop when the light is off.

By Robert Lee (robert@heraldcorp.com)