Police Take Strict 'Zero Tolerance' Approach to Drunk Driving... Repeat Offenders Face Vehicle Seizure

Public Outrage Over Drunk Driving Death in Incheon Eulwangri
Two-Month Extension of Intensive Crackdown, Passengers Also Punished

A drunk driver, Mr. A (center), who fatally struck a man in his 50s delivering chicken near Eulwangri Beach in Incheon, is leaving Jungbu Police Station in Jung-gu, Incheon, on the afternoon of the 14th to attend a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant hearing). [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Amid public outrage over the death of a man in his 50s delivering chicken in Eulwangri, Incheon, who was hit by a drunk driving vehicle, the police have declared a strong response based on a 'zero-tolerance policy,' including extending the period of intensive drunk driving crackdowns.

According to the National Police Agency on the 19th, the number of drunk driving crackdowns from January to August this year reached 78,189 cases. Earlier this year, due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the police conducted selective drunk driving crackdowns, but in May, they introduced 'contactless detectors' and resumed mass checkpoint-style crackdowns. As a result, from July 21 to September 7, over a 7-week period, a total of 16,899 drunk driving cases were cracked down on in high-incident areas for drunk driving, entertainment districts, and highway toll booths.

However, as drunk driving accidents have continued, including the recent fatal drunk driving accident in Eulwangri and the death of a 6-year-old child in a drunk driving accident in Seodaemun, Seoul, the police have taken stronger measures again. First, the intensive drunk driving crackdown period will be extended by two months until November, and nationwide police stations plan to conduct mass crackdowns at vulnerable times at least twice a week. In particular, in expected drunk driving areas, they will utilize 'spot mobile crackdowns,' which change checkpoint locations every 20 to 30 minutes, as well as contactless detectors and zigzag-style crackdowns.

The police also plan to actively punish passengers in drunk driving vehicles as accomplices. Passengers who knowingly provide car keys or encourage or urge drunk driving may be charged with aiding drunk driving or as accomplices in drunk driving traffic accidents.

For habitual drunk drivers, vehicle confiscation will be enforced. If a person with a history of drunk driving causes death or serious injury in a drunk driving accident, or if a person with four or more drunk driving offenses in the past five years drives drunk again, or if a person with two or more drunk driving offenses causes a serious injury accident while drunk, their vehicle may be confiscated.

Additionally, the police plan to create an atmosphere to eradicate drunk driving through prevention and publicity activities. A National Police Agency official emphasized, "Drunk driving in a moment is a serious crime that destroys not only the individual but also the family and society as a whole."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.