Jinju City Implements Three-Strikes Policy for Habitual Rudeness and Illegal Driving on City Buses

Stricter Penalties for Drivers Engaging in Rude Behavior Such as Informal Speech and Profanity
Introduction of 'Three-Strikes Rule' to Revoke Bus Driving Qualifications for Habitual Violations

Eradication of Habitual Rudeness and Illegal Driving on Jinju City Buses

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Jinju City, Gyeongnam Province, announced on the 24th that starting in March, it will gradually impose fines on drivers who exhibit rude behavior and introduce a "three strikes out" system that revokes the driving qualifications of drivers who habitually display rude behavior and illegal driving.

Jinju City has established a basis for imposing a fine of 100,000 KRW on drivers who behave rudely, and after conducting driver education and guidance until the end of February, the regulation will be applied starting from the 1st of next month.

The rude behaviors subject to punishment under this regulation include speaking informally (banmal), using abusive language, making sexist or sexually harassing remarks, and threatening actions toward passengers. Even if not directed at passengers, speaking informally, using abusive language, or profanity toward oneself or other vehicle drivers is also included.

Additionally, to prevent abuse of the punishment regulations for rude behavior, penalties will only be imposed when objective evidence such as recordings or CCTV footage is secured, and cases where the passenger is clearly at fault will be excluded from punishment.

From the second half of the year, the city plans to implement the "three strikes out" system that revokes bus driving qualifications for drivers who habitually commit illegal acts, including rude behavior.

The "three strikes out" system applies when a driver receives administrative fines for violating prohibited acts (refusing boarding, unfair fares, opening doors and departing, passing without stopping, failure to make announcements, smoking inside the vehicle during operation, failure to observe rest times, rude behavior) three times within one year, and upon a subsequent violation, the driver will lose their bus driving qualification along with the administrative fine.

A city official stated, "By establishing grounds to punish drivers who habitually respond rudely and drive illegally, which lowers satisfaction with city buses, we expect to raise awareness among drivers about courteous driving." The official added, "We plan not only to strengthen penalties for drivers but also to expand rewards by discovering and recognizing courteous and safe drivers."

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