[Delivery Regret] "Not Wearing Helmets, Hiding License Plates"... One Citizen Reports 1,900 Cases

Sejong Citizen Jeon Hoseong... Participates in Public Interest Reporting Group
Reports Illegal Motorcycles for 1 Year and 2 Months
Emphasizes "I Am the One Protecting My Community"
Earns 200,000 KRW Monthly for Effort... Satisfaction from a Safer Neighborhood
Significant Decrease in Traffic Accident Deaths in Sejong City

The number of delivery riders in South Korea approached 400,000 as of the second half of last year. For riders who earn income through per-delivery commissions, 'time is money.' The delivery industry has focused solely on delivering faster and more frequently. Naturally, the number of riders engaging in illegal and reckless driving increased. In the first half of this year alone, 265 people died in motorcycle traffic accidents. While the total number of traffic accidents is decreasing, delivery motorcycle accidents are moving in the opposite direction. A recent accident near Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul, where a rider was hit and killed by a cargo truck, shocked the public greatly.

A delivery motorcycle driving illegally with the license plate covered [Provided by Sejong City]

At the Happyraum Shopping District intersection in Areum-dong, Sejong, an area known for frequent child traffic accidents due to the concentration of academies and restaurants, the quiet and peaceful street suddenly turned into a motorcycle lawless zone around 11:30 a.m. on the 2nd, as lunchtime approached. Delivery motorcycles committing illegal acts such as crossing the center line, riding on sidewalks, running red lights, and not wearing helmets were frequently observed.

Jeon Hoseong, a resident of Sejong City, said, "Even sidewalks and crosswalks, where pedestrians should be properly protected, have been occupied by motorcycles," adding, "Parents cannot safely send their children to academies." Jeon has been active in Sejong City's 'Traffic Safety Public Reporting Group' since July last year. As an ordinary office worker, he has reported about 1,900 cases of illegal motorcycle driving over 14 months, ranking third nationwide in terms of performance.

Together with him, we observed the illegal driving of delivery motorcycles at a street corner for 20 minutes and tried reporting through the 'Smart Citizen Reporting' application (app). Reckless motorcycles appeared everywhere like swarms of dragonflies in midsummer. We found riders wearing caps instead of helmets and motorcycles running without license plates. However, filming moving motorcycles with a smartphone app was not an easy task. The small numbers and Korean characters on the motorcycle license plates must be clearly identified for the police to take legal action. Jeon said, "At first, only 50% of reports resulted in action, but now I have gained know-how."

◆'Reporting App' Difficult Even for Veterans = He has now become skilled at catching illegal motorcycles. "I don't just watch and film; I listen to the engine sounds around me and predict the route to capture them." He could intuitively identify the location and expected route just by hearing the motorcycle noise. To avoid alerting the rider, he slightly tilted his phone angle to record videos and temporarily saved the report details. Detailed information such as license plate photo captures, violation locations, and times are entered later at home. This process takes 2 to 3 hours daily. On that day, he reported 8 cases of illegal driving. Jeon said, "The biggest frustration for the reporting group is that even after reporting, no action is taken," and added, "The Smart Reporting app should be improved so that ordinary citizens can easily report."

Jeon decided to join the reporting group after his mother was nearly injured by a motorcycle riding on the sidewalk. Although he receives a maximum monthly allowance of 200,000 KRW, he finds fulfillment in contributing to making the neighborhood safer through his time and effort. Jeon said, "If it were for personal gain, I wouldn't have reported so many cases," emphasizing, "The civic consciousness that 'I am the one protecting my area' is important."

◆City Changes Due to Active Citizen Participation = Currently, a total of 104 members are active in the public reporting group in Sejong. Some motorcycles have started deliberately covering or damaging their license plates to evade reports. Deliberate covering or damaging of license plates is a criminal act punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million KRW. A Sejong city official said, "We have put up banners encouraging citizens to report illegal motorcycle behavior and distributed flyers within apartment complexes so riders can see them."

Sejong was the most dangerous area for motorcycles nationwide. From 2015 to 2019, the average number of deaths per 10,000 two-wheelers in Sejong was 3.5, the highest among the 17 metropolitan cities and provinces. Complaints about delivery motorcycles also exploded. However, after strengthening crackdowns and conducting safe driving campaigns, visible changes appeared. Last year, the number of traffic accident deaths in Sejong was 7, half of the previous year, ranking first nationwide in reduction rate. The number of traffic accident deaths per 100,000 population was 2.0, the lowest in the country. Jeon said, "The number of riders wearing helmets has definitely increased compared to before," adding, "I felt proud when I saw motorcycles obeying traffic signals even when no one was around."

He is currently passing on his know-how to newly recruited members of the reporting group in Sejong City. He plans to continue his reporting group activities as long as he can. He emphasized, "No matter how important it is to earn income for livelihood, it cannot be exchanged for human life," and added, "Illegal motorcycle driving must be eradicated for the sake of pedestrians, children, and vulnerable people who are suffering from stress and anxiety even at this moment."