"One Line for Urgency" vs. "Two Lines for Safety"... Public Debate Resurfaces After 11 Years

Do you stand in a single line or two lines when riding an escalator?

The issue of how to stand on escalators is returning to the public sphere.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety is scheduled to hold a public debate the day after tomorrow to discuss safe escalator usage guidelines.

Previously, the government and civic groups began promoting the single-line rule in 1998.

Later, amid concerns over safety accidents, the campaign changed direction in 2007 to advocate for standing in two lines.

However, due to a lack of strong public response and clear evidence, the campaign was suspended in 2015.

This means the debate surrounding single-line versus two-line standing is being brought back into the public discussion after 11 years.

The backdrop is the recurrence of safety accidents on escalators.

According to the Korea Elevator Safety Agency, out of 135 escalator accidents that occurred from 2016 until last year, 90 were caused by user negligence, with slips and falls accounting for 78 percent of those cases.

Public reactions, however, remain divided.

Opinions clash between those who argue that "two lines are better because safety is paramount" and those who say "one side should be left open for people in a hurry."

(Source: The Fact)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.