Seoul City Conducts Special Crackdown on Noise-Generating 'Illegal Modified Two-Wheel Vehicles' from July to September

Special Nighttime Crackdown on Two-Wheel Vehicles for 3 Months Starting July to Alleviate Citizen Inconvenience and Prevent Traffic Accidents
Criminal Penalties and Administrative Measures Including Restoration Orders for Illegal Modification of Two-Wheel Vehicles

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 5th, Seoul City announced that it will conduct a special 3-month nighttime crackdown on illegally modified motorcycles causing noise pollution during the summer, in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, autonomous districts, and the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, to alleviate citizen inconvenience and prevent traffic accidents.

In particular, cases of disturbance to residential peace, such as sleep disruption caused by motorcycle noise, increase during summer nights when windows are frequently opened. Accordingly, the city plans to conduct special crackdowns on illegally modified motorcycles, such as those with altered mufflers, during nighttime hours when enforcement is typically weak, contributing to traffic safety by resolving citizen inconvenience and preemptively removing risk factors for traffic accidents.

With the recent increase in delivery services due to COVID-19, the rise in delivery motorcycles and complaints about exhaust noise have heightened the need for enforcement. Therefore, special nighttime crackdowns will be conducted focusing on areas with high complaint rates. Illegally modified motorcycles caught during enforcement will face criminal penalties or administrative sanctions under the Motor Vehicle Management Act. Illegal modification of mufflers or headlights is punishable by imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW. Operating without registration or without license plates incurs fines up to 1 million KRW, and damage or concealment of license plates results in fines up to 3 million KRW.

This year, from January to June, a total of 86 crackdowns were conducted focusing on complaint-prone areas such as major arterial roads and residential backstreets, resulting in the enforcement action against 419 motorcycles violating the Motor Vehicle Management Act. Among these, 212 had illegal LED lighting devices, 79 had illegal body modifications, 5 had defective license plates, and 123 motorcycles were found with illegally modified noise prevention devices.

Seoul City also encourages citizens to report illegally modified motorcycles through the Response Center, the National Complaints Portal, or the Safety Reporting System. Upon verification of violations, necessary measures will be taken to create a safe driving environment and alleviate citizen inconvenience.

Baek Ho, Director of Urban Transportation at Seoul City, stated, “Illegally modified motorcycles pose a significant threat not only to the drivers but also to the safety of others. Structural changes to motorcycles must be legally approved by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority. We ask for active cooperation from the industry, drivers, and citizens to ensure traffic safety.”