Penalty and Fine for Taxi Fall Accident in Parking Lot? ... Homeplus Parking Lot Law Violation

The site of the taxi crash in Yeonje-gu. [Image source=Busan Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] Homeplus has been fined for violating the Parking Lot Act in connection with a taxi fall accident that occurred in the parking lot of its store.

Yeonje-gu imposed a fine of 2.5 million won on Homeplus on the 3rd for violating the Parking Lot Act.

On December 30 last year, a taxi broke through the outer wall and fell from the 5th floor of the Homeplus parking lot in Yeonsan-dong, resulting in the driver's death and injuries to seven others.

Questions arose as to whether this was a violation of the Parking Lot Act, given that the vehicle broke through the wall and fell.

According to the current Parking Lot Act, parking lots built in buildings of two or more floors must have fall prevention facilities capable of withstanding a frontal collision by a 2-ton vehicle at 20 km/h.

The safety diagnosis report submitted by Homeplus did not meet the regulations, resulting in the imposition of the fine.

Since violation of the Parking Lot Act is not subject to criminal punishment, there are no additional penalties beyond the fine.

Homeplus issued an official statement saying, "It has been confirmed that the structure did not meet legal regulations, and we are investigating the cause with the designers who constructed the store," and added, "Reinforcement measures at the Yeonsan branch have been completed, and safety inspections are being conducted at all stores nationwide," expressing an apology.

The Yeonje Police Station stated that detailed monitoring of the accident taxi estimated the taxi's speed at 70 km/h at the time. The taxi started slowly in the parking lot but did not head toward the exit and instead accelerated straight ahead.

The results of the autopsy and vehicle defect investigation have not yet been released.

The taxi's front was severely damaged due to the fall, and a fire broke out in the engine, making it difficult to confirm vehicle defects.

The National Forensic Service plans to focus on verifying the taxi driver's response, including the accelerator and brake usage.

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