Jeonnam Police Seize Vehicle for 'Habitual Drunk Driving'

Detected 10 Cases of Road Traffic Law Violations (Drunk Driving, Unlicensed), Vehicle Seized (Voluntary Submission) to Prevent Recidivism

Jeonnam police announced on the 21st that they have confiscated one vehicle owned by a habitual drunk driver in accordance with the policy to strengthen punishment for habitual drunk driving.

This is the first case by Jeonnam police, aiming to prevent recidivism by confiscating vehicles from drivers with a high risk of reoffending, and to raise awareness of the dangers of habitual drunk driving to ensure the safety of residents.

The conditions for confiscating vehicles of serious drunk driving offenders include ▲serious drunk driving fatal accidents (multiple casualties, fleeing the scene after the accident, repeat offenders with a history of drunk driving, etc.) ▲drunk driving causing serious injury by offenders with two or more drunk driving offenses within five years ▲drunk driving by offenders with three or more drunk driving offenses within five years ▲and other cases where vehicle confiscation is deemed necessary after comprehensively considering the extent of damage and likelihood of reoffending.

Jeonnam police caught Mr. A on the afternoon of the 16th of last month in a region of Jeonnam driving under the influence with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.161%, who collided with a parked vehicle.

It was confirmed that Mr. A had already been caught several times for drunk driving and driving without a license, showing a very high risk of reoffending, so his vehicle was voluntarily submitted and confiscated.

Lee Chung-ho, Chief of Jeonnam Police Agency, stated, “We will strengthen punishments such as active vehicle confiscation to eradicate drunk driving by habitual offenders, and strive to block the intention of reoffending with stronger measures for the safety of residents.”

Meanwhile, the number of traffic accidents involving injuries and fatalities and the number of deaths in Jeonnam over the past three years were recorded as ▲2020: 9,905 cases (281 deaths) ▲2021: 8,732 cases (255 deaths) ▲2022: 8,382 cases (202 deaths).