[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The Seoul Police will operate a special crackdown period on drunk driving for two months to mark the year-end.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that from the 24th until January 23rd of next year, they will conduct special drunk driving crackdowns at 426 locations throughout Seoul, including entertainment districts, markets, and subway station areas where drunk driving accidents frequently occur.
The crackdown hours will be from 9 PM daily until 1 AM the next day. Considering the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), they will use non-contact detectors that can detect alcohol content without the need to blow into a device.
Additionally, the police plan to conduct surprise crackdowns on early morning hangover driving and daytime drunk driving. They will also strengthen drunk driving crackdowns targeting personal mobility devices (PM) such as electric kickboards, motorcycles, and bicycle riders.
If there are passengers in a drunk driving vehicle, the police will actively investigate whether they aided or abetted drunk driving, and in the case of habitual drunk drivers, vehicle seizure will be pursued. A police official stated, "Even amid the COVID-19 situation, drunk driving crackdowns are necessary to protect the lives of the public," and urged, "Please never drive after drinking."
As of October 31st this year, there have been 1,921 drunk driving accidents in Seoul, an 8.5% increase compared to the same period last year. In the recent two months (September 17th to November 16th), 343 drunk driving accidents occurred in Seoul, resulting in 2 deaths and 567 injuries.
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