Gwangju Police Focus Efforts on 'Drunk Driving Eradication' During Year-End and New Year Period

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Gwangju police plan to concentrate traffic enforcement efforts to eradicate drunk driving during the year-end and New Year period.

According to the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency (Chief Kim Gyotae) on the 18th, from the 21st of this month until the end of January next year, the hours for drunk driving crackdowns and the number of personnel deployed will be significantly increased, and daytime drunk driving checks will be conducted frequently.

Earlier this year, due to COVID-19, a mistaken perception that "police do not conduct drunk driving checks" spread, leading to an increase in drunk driving. However, by actively responding to drunk driving through the introduction of "zigzag-type crackdowns" and "contactless breathalyzers," the number of incidents has gradually decreased since June.

However, looking at the monthly proportion of drunk driving traffic accidents over the past three years (2017?2019), January recorded the highest at 9.94%. Therefore, to preemptively block the year-end and New Year drunk driving atmosphere, strong measures will be taken.

To this end, in addition to traffic police, riot police and local police will also be deployed for drunk driving enforcement.

In particular, in entertainment districts such as the Sangmu area, places with frequent drunk driving, and areas with a high incidence of drunk driving traffic accidents over the past three years, drunk driving checks will be conducted regularly not only during the day but also at night and late night.

Additionally, spot-type drunk driving crackdowns will be conducted at 20?30 minute intervals, moving without distinction between main roads and side streets to enhance enforcement effectiveness.

Not only passenger cars but also all commercial vehicles such as taxis, buses, freight trucks, and two-wheelers suspected of drunk driving will be checked without exception to ensure thorough drunk driving enforcement.

Passengers in drunk driving vehicles will be punished as accomplices, and for habitual drunk drivers, vehicle seizure will be actively considered according to seizure criteria to prevent repeat offenses.

A Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency official stated, "Although social distancing has been strengthened due to the escalation of COVID-19 response levels, reducing drinking gatherings, drunk driving has not decreased, so we are determined to enforce drunk driving crackdowns." He added, "Drunk driving will be strictly enforced anytime and anywhere, so if you have even one drink, you should not get behind the wheel."

He continued, "Drunk driving is a serious crime that can take not only your life but also the lives of others, so it must never be committed," urging the public to recognize this.

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