‘Pink Light’ Campaign In Korea Hopes To Advance Priority Seating For Pregnant Women

Traditionally, pregnant women would be prioritized when it comes to public transports such as subways but the thing is they have to take the initiative and request for that privilege. With a new ‘Pink Light’ campaign, all that could change.

South Korea will be trying to achieve that intent with the ‘Pink Light’ campaign, a new wireless solution where pink lights will alert passengers to pregnant women in an effort to give up their seating. This should help aid pregnant women who have to take the initiative in requesting a seat, alternatively a way to remind common commuters of making that small sacrifice.

The Pink Light campaign was tested with 500 women in a span of five days and works when women carrying the sensors which activate pink lights next to priority seats over at the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail service.

The sensors come in the form of badges and come armed with batteries that are good for use of up to six months. The sensors need to be however carried on the outside of their clothes or bags.

"Consideration for pregnant women should prevail and they should be able to use public transportation more easily and conveniently with this policy," said Busan Mayor Suh Byung-soo.

The move should benefit pregnant women who need all the help they can get in their state. Though people have varying takes on taking the initiative, one concern that was brought up was how people could allegedly tell if a woman is indeed pregnant.

And while the intent seems to be all and good, there are some who hold certain preservations on the tactic. Some believe that it was a solution that could have been addressed without the aid of technology which everyone knows may cost a bit.

"I found the level of attention embarrassing when I wore a 'Baby on board' badge - I'm not sure how comfortable I would feel with pink lights going off when I got on a train," claims Ellie Gibson of the British Scummy Mummies via BBC.

Though Busan is the second largest city in South Korea, other countries have resorted to simple means. That includes the UK where the Transport of London hands out free badges to pregnant women in an effort to entice others to sacrifice their seat for the soon-to-be mothers.