National Police Agency Launches Study on Enforcement Standards to Eradicate Drug-Impaired Driving

"A Serious Crime Threatening Public Life and Safety"
Police, National Forensic Service, and Road Traffic Authority Launch Joint Research

The police have launched a study to establish new enforcement standards for drug-impaired driving, which has emerged as a significant social issue.

On March 18, the National Police Agency announced that it held the first planning meeting for a research project to "introduce blood concentration standards and review criteria for banning drug-impaired driving." Although there has been ongoing debate about whether uniform numerical limits—like those used for drunk driving—can be applied to drug-impaired driving, the diversity of drugs and significant differences in individual physiological characteristics have made it difficult to set universal thresholds.

The driver who caused an accident while driving a Porsche SUV under the influence of drugs in February this year, crashing on Banpo Bridge in Seoul and falling onto the Han River embankment, is attending a pre-trial detention hearing at the Seoul Western District Court. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to the police, some countries, including the United Kingdom, have enacted legislation that sets limits on certain drug levels. However, these legal limits are designed to facilitate prosecution for specific substances, and directly applying such standards under Korea’s Road Traffic Act is considered impractical, which is why further research is deemed necessary.

In response to recent calls for clearer standards following stricter penalties for drug-impaired driving, the police have decided to conduct research on the introduction of blood concentration thresholds and the establishment of specific bans related to drug use while driving.

First, the National Forensic Service will select which drugs to target based on toxicological results and international enforcement standards. In particular, the agency plans to study recommended blood concentration limits for zolpidem—a sleeping pill that is one of the most commonly detected drugs in Korea. The Korea Road Traffic Authority will research the risks of traffic accidents caused by drug-impaired driving, survey public acceptance of enforcement measures planned for implementation this year, develop improvement measures, and seek ways to strengthen driver’s license management—such as improving aptitude tests for drug-impaired drivers—in line with Korea’s unique circumstances.

The first planning meeting brought together officials and experts from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the Korean Medical Association, the Korean Pharmaceutical Association, the National Forensic Service, and the Korea Road Traffic Authority, as well as academia. They agreed to work together to eradicate drug-impaired driving.

Kim Hoseung, Director General of Traffic Safety at the National Police Agency, said, "Drug-impaired driving is a serious crime that threatens the lives and safety of the public, just like drunk driving," adding, "Through this research, we will establish a predictable enforcement system."

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