"Even Dolls Join In: Delivery Riders' 'Tricks' Evolving Day by Day"

A delivery rider cleverly covering the license plate with a doll to avoid traffic law enforcement. Photo by Online Community

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Amid the continuous surge in delivery demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 'trick' tactics of delivery riders to evade traffic violation enforcement and reporting are also evolving accordingly.

Recently, a photo of a rider blatantly covering their license plate using dolls and hairbands was posted on an online community, sparking public attention. This appears to be aimed at avoiding detection of traffic violations, raising citizens' concerns about safety accidents.

As illegal parking and reckless driving by delivery motorcycles increase, enforcement related to motorcycles has significantly intensified. Typically, traffic signal violations incur fines or penalties of around 40,000 to 50,000 KRW, but some violations, such as parking in disabled parking zones, can impose burdens exceeding 100,000 KRW. Consequently, delivery riders risk losing their entire daily wage if caught, leading them to go to great lengths to avoid enforcement.

The most representative trick is 'hiding the license plate.' This includes applying mud or adhesive to the plate to make it hard to identify, or slightly covering the plate by hanging a chain lock known as 'sundae.' Some riders remove or fold the license plate entirely to evade enforcement, and recently, even dolls have been used.

A delivery rider folding the license plate of a motorcycle to evade traffic law violation enforcement and reporting. / Photo by Online Community

Citizens are voicing criticism against these 'tricks' used by delivery riders. Reports about these riders' behaviors are continuously posted on online communities, with the main sentiment being an understanding of the hardships faced by riders who rely on delivery for their livelihood, but emphasizing that traffic order must be observed for public safety as these actions could lead to serious accidents.

Meanwhile, to reduce the increased motorcycle accidents and enforce traffic law violations amid rising delivery demand, a public reporting group has been established and operating since last year. This year, 3,000 new members have been selected and are active. They sometimes organize activities by sharing enforcement know-how through group chats on KakaoTalk or Naver Band. However, some believe that hostility toward this public reporting group has led to the proliferation of riders' tricks to cover license plates, despite knowing it is illegal.

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