Reckless drivers in S. Korea to face up to year in jail

By Kim Rahn

Dangerous drivers will face up to a year in jail under revised traffic laws, according to the National Police Agency on Sunday.

The toughened regulations, which the National Assembly is likely to pass soon, are being introduced because the current law is vague about what constitutes reckless driving. So far, such drivers have only been fined small amounts for dangerous driving.

According to the revised laws, people will be punished for: violating traffic signals, driving over the center line, speeding, making an illegal U-turn or reversing illegally, braking suddenly, overtaking recklessly; and honking a horn, without reason.

Drivers convicted of these offences will face up to a year in jail or fines of up to 5 million won. Their driver’s license will be suspended or cancelled, and they will have to attend lectures on traffic safety.

“The current traffic laws do not clearly define reckless driving, so dangerous drivers have faced light penalties between 20,000 won and 60,000 won,” an agency official said.

“We expect the new rules to help reduce such driving offences.”