"Kids Can't Sleep Due to Noise from Delivery Motorcycles Recklessly Racing Through Residential Areas [Han Reporter Goes]"

Some Delivery Workers Speed and Drive Recklessly in Apartment and Residential Areas
Riding on Sidewalks and Smoking While Delivering
Performing Stunt Driving Across Crosswalks
Residents Say "Really Frustrating" and Express Complaints

Notice posted at the entrance of an apartment complex in Seoul (left). The apartment complex allows delivery workers to enter through a different entrance. Another apartment (right) also requests delivery workers to drive safely through a notice. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "It's really noisy when deliveries come at night, and it's also dangerous if they drive fast inside the complex..."

With the increase in food delivery orders due to the impact of COVID-19, various complaints about delivery drivers' driving have been continuing. Especially inside apartment complexes, where drivers should be more careful and drive safely, residents are outraged as some delivery drivers not only speed on the sidewalks within the complex but also engage in nuisance behaviors such as smoking in residential areas and spitting on the ground.

As a result, an apartment complex in Seoul posted notices at the entrance to inform delivery drivers entering the complex about the rules they must follow. This is a measure taken by apartment security and related personnel in response to ongoing complaints. Failure to comply may result in various penalties.

Another apartment complex posted a notice requesting that delivery motorcycles not enter pedestrian entrances. Residents' position is that it can obstruct pedestrian traffic and cause various safety accidents.

A delivery motorcycle is on the sidewalk waiting for the pedestrian signal. Citizens are seen walking around the motorcycle. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

Mr. Kim, a company employee in his 40s, said, "It's not that we want them to stop delivering, but we want them to be more careful," expressing frustration, "How can they drive recklessly and speed inside the complex?" He added, "There are delivery drivers who spit on the ground and smoke, but security guards can't monitor them every day, so it's really frustrating."

Another office worker in his 30s, Mr. Choi, said, "I understand that they have to drive fast because their income depends on the number of deliveries, but shouldn't they still follow safety rules?" He also complained, "And why is the noise so loud?"

The inconvenience and complaints from citizens due to reckless driving can be confirmed by statistics. The 'Public Interest Reporting Group' designated by the National Police Agency reported 7,823 motorcycle traffic violations over three months starting from May last year. These include delivery drivers crossing the center line, weaving between lanes, using smartphones while driving, and speeding on sidewalks inside apartment and officetel complexes.

Delivery motorcycles, classified as two-wheeled vehicles under the Road Traffic Act, must travel on the roadway where roads and sidewalks are separated. Violating this results in a fine of 40,000 KRW and 10 penalty points according to Article 13, Paragraph 1 of the Road Traffic Act.

Especially, if a two-wheeled vehicle injures a person while driving on the sidewalk, it is considered one of the 12 major serious violations involving sidewalk intrusion. Even if the driver settles with the victim or has comprehensive insurance, under the Special Act on the Treatment of Traffic Accidents, they may face imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to 20 million KRW.

A delivery motorcycle is quickly crossing the crosswalk. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

Motorcycle noise is also a problem. The usual noise standard for two-wheeled vehicles is 105 decibels (dB). However, in July 2018, illegally modified motorcycles caught by the police recorded noise levels of up to 119 decibels. Such loud noise during late afternoon or nighttime snack deliveries inside complexes inevitably disturbs residents' sleep.

Mr. Lee, a worker in his 50s, expressed frustration, saying, "I couldn't sleep because of the noise from delivery motorcycles." He added, "Especially after midnight when snack deliveries come, it doesn't sound like a normal motorcycle but like a modified exhaust." Due to this situation, some areas have sent official requests to delivery agencies to prohibit the use of illegally modified motorcycles and have started crackdowns.

However, there are limits to cracking down on such rude driving by some delivery drivers. An apartment security guard said, "We post notices at the apartment entrance about compliance, and when we see delivery drivers recklessly driving inside the complex, we immediately point it out, but sometimes the security office is unattended, and since so many come and go, it's difficult to always ask them to 'drive properly'."

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