Two Daily Traffic Accidents from Using Mobile Phones While Driving... "High Risk but Low Punishment Level"

15 Demerit Points and 60,000 Won Fine for Passenger Car
Assemblyman Park Wanju: "Drivers Must Be Made Aware"

Park Wan-joo, Policy Committee Chair of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Despite an average of two traffic accidents per day caused by using a mobile phone while driving, there are criticisms that the penalty points and fines are too low.

According to data received by Park Wan-joo, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, from the National Police Agency on the 26th, an average of 791 traffic accidents per year occurred over the past three years due to mobile phone use while driving, which amounts to about two accidents per day. In the case of traffic accidents caused by mobile phone use while driving, 18 people died and 1,095 were injured last year.

According to the "2020 Traffic Culture Index Survey" released by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, the percentage of respondents who answered that they use smart devices while driving increased from 28.7% in 2018 to 35.5% in 2019, and 35.9% last year.

However, when caught using a mobile phone while driving, only 15 penalty points are imposed along with fines of 70,000 KRW for vans, 60,000 KRW for passenger cars, and 40,000 KRW for motorcycles. Park pointed out that the level of punishment is low compared to the potential for causing accidents.

Foreign countries are strengthening penalties for drivers using mobile phones. Australia imposes a fine of about 280,000 KRW when caught using a mobile phone, Japan has tripled fines by vehicle type and strengthened criminal penalties, and in Europe, mobile phone use is considered reckless driving.

Park said, "Despite the steady increase in the rate of mobile phone use by drivers and the serious risk of accidents, the punishment is weak," adding, "It is necessary to strengthen the level of punishment for mobile phone use while driving to make drivers aware of the dangers of this behavior."