Caught every 2 minutes on average... Confusion continues on the third day of 'Right Turn Stop' enforcement

At around 3:10 p.m. on the 24th, at the intersection in front of Lotte Mall in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. Although it was the third day since the crackdown on 'right turn stop' began, two vehicles were stopped at the end of the third lane under police guidance just one minute after the enforcement started. A citizen from Goyang, Mr. Yeo (59), who was caught, said with an embarrassed smile, "I didn't think about stopping temporarily. Isn't this how we learn?" During about 40 minutes of police enforcement, out of approximately 200 vehicles making right turns, 20 were caught by the police. That is one vehicle every two minutes, and one out of every ten vehicles failed to properly comply with the right turn stop obligation.

At around 3:30 PM on the 24th, at the intersection in front of Lotte Mall in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, a motorbike driver who was caught in a crackdown expressed his frustration, saying, "I didn't know because I was working and not watching the news. I feel embarrassed and wronged." Photo by Taewon Choi skking@

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The police imposed fines and penalty points on the drivers of 4 out of the 20 vehicles caught, while issuing warnings to 16 vehicles whose violations were minor, such as slow driving. Among the 4 vehicles caught that day, 3 were for 'signal violations' and the remaining one was for 'pedestrian protection obligation violation.' This enforcement was conducted following the end of the grace period on the 21st for the revised Road Traffic Act Enforcement Rules, which strengthened right turn regulations.

According to the revised Road Traffic Act Enforcement Rules, when the traffic signal for the vehicle ahead is red, the driver must stop at the stop line first. Then, if there are no pedestrians on the crosswalk ahead, the driver may make a right turn; however, if there are pedestrians, the driver must wait until the pedestrians have completely crossed the crosswalk before proceeding. When the traffic signal ahead is green, the driver may make a right turn while driving slowly so as not to disrupt the flow of traffic. Violating this constitutes a signal violation. In such cases, motorcycles are fined 40,000 KRW, passenger cars 60,000 KRW, and vans 70,000 KRW, along with 15 penalty points.

It is also subject to enforcement if a vehicle driver does not temporarily stop in front of the crosswalk when pedestrians are crossing or about to cross. Article 27 (Protection of Pedestrians) Paragraph 1 of the revised Road Traffic Act states, "The driver of any vehicle or streetcar shall temporarily stop at the front of the crosswalk (or at the stop line if installed) to avoid obstructing or endangering pedestrians when pedestrians are crossing or about to cross the crosswalk."

In other words, previously, the obligation to temporarily stop applied only when pedestrians were crossing the crosswalk, but with the law revision, drivers must stop even if pedestrians are only about to cross. Violating this is considered a 'pedestrian protection obligation violation.' In such cases, motorcycles are fined 40,000 KRW, passenger cars 60,000 KRW, and vans 70,000 KRW, along with 10 penalty points.

At around 3:28 PM on the 24th, at the intersection in front of Lotte Mall in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, three vehicles were caught simultaneously violating the duty to stop temporarily before making a right turn./Photo by Tae-won Choi skking@

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The drivers caught that day also expressed dissatisfaction with the ambiguity of the temporary stop rule and the lack of publicity. Mr. Park (53), a resident of Eunpyeong-gu, questioned the police officer who caught him, saying, "I stopped temporarily, checked if there were people on the crosswalk, and then proceeded slowly. What exactly is the standard for a temporary stop?" The police officer explained, "The wheels must be completely stopped on the ground. This time is a warning, so please follow the rule from next time," and let Mr. Park go. A motorbike driver who was caught said, "I was busy working and didn't watch the news, so I didn't know. I feel surprised and unfair."

Mr. Kwak (68), a taxi driver caught for signal violation, said, "I knew about the changed regulations but forgot. I think we should follow them," but added, "The fines and penalty points seem too harsh."

The police plan to continue publicity and guidance activities along with enforcement. Officer In Seo-yeon of the Traffic Safety Division at Eunpyeong Police Station said, "We have been conducting online and offline publicity campaigns steadily for the past three months, but this has made us realize that it was insufficient," and added, "On the 18th of next month, we will conduct a campaign in collaboration with the Road Traffic Authority. We also plan to continue our own publicity activities steadily."

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