Driver with 1,367 Toll Violations... Brazen Offenders Surge Sharply in 5 Years

Assemblyman Min Hong-cheol: "Strict Measures Must Be Established for Habitual Defaulters"

Min Hong-chul, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, Gimhae Gap, Gyeongnam. [Image source: Office of Min Hong-chul]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] It has been revealed that the number of drivers habitually evading highway toll payments has surged sharply over the past five years.

According to data from Korea Expressway Corporation disclosed by Min Hong-cheol, a member of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee from the Democratic Party representing Gimhae Gap, Gyeongnam, the total number of toll evasion cases from 2017 to 2021 was 95,515,000.

Highway Toll Nonpayment Occurrence Status. [Image Source=Office of Assemblyman Min Hong-cheol]

▲ In 2017, there were 16,176,000 cases ▲ 18,160,000 in 2018 ▲ 19,292,000 in 2019 ▲ 19,944,000 in 2020 ▲ and 21,943,000 in 2021, showing a steady increase each year, with a 35.6% surge over five years.

Highway Toll Fee Habitual Non-Payment Ranking Table. [Image Source: Office of Assemblyman Min Hong-cheol]

As of August 2022, the top 10 habitual toll evaders had a combined total of 6,477 unpaid toll cases, amounting to 35.63 million KRW in unpaid fees.

Among them, the top habitual evader, Mr. A, had 1,376 unpaid toll cases, with an unpaid amount of 3.776 million KRW.

Another habitual evader, Mr. B, failed to pay 777 times, with unpaid tolls exceeding 6 million KRW.

Additional Toll Charge Imposition Status. [Image Source: Office of Assemblyman Min Hong-cheol]

Representative Min also highlighted the serious issue of additional toll charges evasion.

Additional toll charges are imposed on drivers who evade tolls by illegal means such as unauthorized passage through general lanes or not attaching the toll device, according to Article 20 of the Toll Road Act.

According to data presented by Representative Min, the number of cases where additional toll charges were imposed over the past five years totaled 3,561,000.

Out of the imposed amount of 87.2 billion KRW, less than half, 40.7 billion KRW, was collected.

Representative Min pointed out, “The collection rate of additional toll charges dropped sharply from 55.2% in 2017 to 33.8% in 2021,” and emphasized, “Urgent measures are needed regarding toll fee imposition.”

He added, “As the problem of toll evasion worsens every year, issues of fairness arise for the majority of citizens who pay tolls faithfully,” and stressed, “Strict measures must be established for toll evaders and habitual evaders, including strengthening guidance.”

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