[Report] "Weaving Between Lanes and Illegal Modifications" 181 Two-Wheelers Caught in 2 Hours... Conflicts Surrounding Delivery

5 Motorcycles Caught in 10 Minutes
Delivery Workers Raise Voices and Argue
Crackdown on Signal Violations and No Helmet Use

Delivery Workers: "Fast Delivery Impossible While Following Rules"
Citizens: "Dizzying Speed on Sidewalks"
Delivery Agency Offices Also Refuse Entry

On the afternoon of the 14th, police were cracking down on a motorcyclist who made an illegal lane change near Hapjeong Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

[Asia Economy Reporters Donghoon Jeong, Seungyoon Song] "(If you catch us for changing lanes too) how are we supposed to make a living?"

"We cannot overlook violations at our discretion."

On the afternoon of the 14th, around 2 p.m., a focused crackdown on two-wheeled vehicles was underway near Hapjeong Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Suddenly, the police began traffic enforcement, and within about 10 minutes, five motorcycle riders were caught one after another. Some of them complained to the officers, raised their voices, and even argued.

This year, there have been 59 fatalities from two-wheeled vehicle traffic accidents, accounting for 34.1% of the total 173 deaths. This is a 22.9% increase compared to the same period last year. Many violations involved unsafe driving and running red lights. More than half (34 people, 57.6%) of the two-wheeled vehicle fatalities were delivery workers. Accordingly, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has been conducting a "Special Traffic Crackdown on Two-Wheeled Vehicles" from the 7th of this month through the end of November to prevent traffic accidents involving two-wheeled vehicles.

On this day, a delivery worker in his 30s was fined 20,000 won for violating the Road Traffic Act (lane change method) by crossing three lanes while waiting for a signal. The delivery worker raised his voice at the police, saying, "I didn’t know, so I did it this way. Are you going to give me a ticket?" and "Shouldn't you inform me?" Afterward, other two-wheeled vehicle riders were caught for violations such as crossing the stop line, changing lanes over solid lines, not wearing helmets for passengers, and running red lights.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency conducted a special traffic crackdown from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. near Hapjeong Station in Mapo-gu, the Donggyo-dong intersection, and near the Agricultural and Marine Products Market, issuing a total of 181 citations. At Hapjeong Station, 63 riot police officers, 8 traffic police officers, 4 sidecar patrol units, and 1 undercover patrol car were deployed.

A police official said, "We plan to conduct frequent crackdowns not only on major roads with heavy vehicle traffic but also in areas with high risks of fatal accidents due to two-wheeled vehicle traffic violations, such as around apartment complexes and alleyways."

Delivery workers also have their say. They argue that because the structure is such that the more they obey signals and drive safely, the less profit they make, they cannot avoid running red lights. A representative from a delivery agency said, "It is contradictory to expect delivery workers to obey all traffic laws and deliver quickly," adding, "Besides the profit issue, we end up being the ones blamed by both customers and companies."

Civilians have different views. Ansoyeon (32, female) said, "Every time I see motorcycles recklessly riding on sidewalks, it makes me dizzy," adding, "Especially when I see them weaving between roads and sidewalks performing stunts near children, I wonder if it really has to be like that."

Conflicts surrounding delivery are ongoing. Recently, in an apartment complex in Songdo International City, Incheon, conflicts between residents and delivery workers over motorcycle ground access led to a delivery refusal incident. In another nearby apartment, residents preemptively blocked delivery companies from opening offices in the commercial spaces, creating an absurd situation. Upon hearing that a so-called "delivery hub" would be established in the apartment’s commercial area, residents called for a boycott even before the companies moved in. The apartment residents' representative committee is reportedly pushing to oppose the delivery companies’ relocation by negotiating with the commercial property owners, real estate agents, and delivery companies, offering support for costs incurred during contract signing and rent for vacant spaces. To this end, they are collecting a settlement fund of 13 million won from residents.

A resident of the apartment, Kiho Lee (35, pseudonym), said, "Considering the series of incidents that happen where delivery hubs exist, anyone would be reluctant to have such companies enter the apartment commercial spaces," adding, "I think it’s right to prevent it beforehand before bigger conflicts arise."