"Stop When the Light Is Red or Pedestrians Are Present"… 'Temporary Stop for Right Turn' Rule Enforced from Tomorrow with Fines for Violations

Stop Immediately When Seeing Pedestrians
Police to Begin Full-Scale Crackdown Starting the 22nd

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The grace period for the revised Road Traffic Act Enforcement Regulations, which focus on strengthening right-turn regulations, ends on the 21st. Accordingly, the police will begin cracking down on violations of the temporary stop rule for right turns starting from the 22nd. The regulations related to vehicle right turns have changed twice, in July last year and January this year, requiring drivers to be cautious. Although it may seem complicated at first glance, the key is to stop whenever the light is red and pedestrians are present.

At around 8:50 a.m. on February 21, during the grace period, at the Hongdae Entrance Station intersection in Mapo-gu, Seoul, a vehicle made a right turn without stopping despite the traffic light ahead being red.
Photo by Taewon Choi skking@

According to the revised Road Traffic Act Enforcement Regulations implemented on January 22, when the traffic signal ahead is red, drivers must stop before the stop line. After that, if there are no pedestrians on the crosswalk ahead, they may turn right; however, if pedestrians are present, they must wait until the pedestrians have completely crossed the crosswalk before proceeding. When the traffic signal ahead is green, drivers may turn right slowly without obstructing the flow of traffic. Violating this rule constitutes a 'signal violation.' In such cases, two-wheeled vehicles are fined 40,000 KRW, passenger cars 60,000 KRW, and vans 70,000 KRW, along with 15 penalty points.

Along with the revision of the Road Traffic Act Enforcement Regulations, right-turn traffic lights, which were piloted, are currently operating at 13 locations nationwide as of the 20th. Initially, there were 15 locations, but two?Sinsangdo Elementary School intersection in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, and Neulpum intersection in Wonju, Gangwon?were removed after being deemed inappropriate during the pilot operation. The police are discussing additional installation sites for right-turn traffic lights with local governments.

Locations where right-turn traffic lights are operating include two places in Busan: Yeongseon Fire Station intersection in Yeongdo-gu and Busan Bank Yeonseo branch in Yeonje-gu; four places in Incheon: Juan intersection in Michuhol-gu, Sinchon Elementary School in Bupyeong-gu, Baegun Overpass in Bupyeong-gu, and Dongsu Underpass in Bupyeong-gu; two places in Daejeon: Jageunnae Waterfront Park in Wonsinhung-dong, Yuseong-gu, and Yongso intersection in Seo-gu; one place in Ulsan: Saeteo Samgeori in Nam-gu; three places in Gyeonggi: Songnae Station in Bucheon, Seongdae Station intersection in Suwon, and Gaun District entrance intersection in Namyangju; and one place in Gangwon: Chunil Methodist Church intersection in Chuncheon.

Failing to temporarily stop in front of a crosswalk when pedestrians are crossing or intending to cross is also subject to enforcement. This is based on Article 27, Paragraph 1 of the Road Traffic Act, which has been in effect since July last year. Article 27 (Protection of Pedestrians), Paragraph 1 of the revised Road Traffic Act states, 'All drivers of vehicles or streetcars must temporarily stop at the crosswalk (or at the stop line if installed) to avoid obstructing or endangering pedestrians who are crossing or intending to cross the crosswalk.'

In other words, previously, the obligation to temporarily stop applied only when pedestrians were crossing the crosswalk, but with the law revision, drivers must now stop even if pedestrians are only intending to cross. Violating this rule constitutes a 'violation of pedestrian protection duty.' In such cases, two-wheeled vehicles are fined 40,000 KRW, passenger cars 60,000 KRW, and vans 70,000 KRW, along with 10 penalty points.

[Image source=Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency]

With the grace period ending, the police plan to strengthen on-site enforcement at intersections to enhance publicity effects. They intend to prioritize enforcement on types of violations that pose direct risks to pedestrians, aiming to establish a traffic culture that prioritizes pedestrian safety.

However, to ensure a smooth transition to a safe driving culture, educational activities will continue alongside enforcement. A police official stated, “While a complete stop is the principle, during the grace period, many drivers slowed down to only 1-2 km/h before moving again. In cases where the regulation is not completely ignored or where violations appear to be clear mistakes, we will focus more on educational activities rather than strict enforcement.”