First Vehicle Seizure at Investigation Stage
for Repeat Drunk Driving Offender
The Gumi Police Station in Gyeongbuk has apprehended a habitual offender who repeatedly engaged in drunk driving and driving without a license, and has seized the vehicle involved.
The police determined that the driver posed a high risk of reoffending and responded with strong measures, including severe punishment and the seizure of the vehicle.
According to the North Gumi Police Station (Chief Superintendent Kim Dongwook), on May 12, they arrested an individual identified as A, who, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.181%, caused an accident by consecutively crashing into two vehicles parked on the shoulder. The vehicle used in the accident was also seized.
The investigation revealed that A had three previous convictions for drunk driving and one for driving without a license. Despite this criminal record, A once again drove under the influence. Taking this into consideration, the police assessed the risk of reoffending as extremely high and seized the vehicle in accordance with legal grounds.
This action is part of the "Joint Prosecution and Police Measures to Eradicate Drunk Driving," which has been in effect since June of last year. Under these measures, the police have established criteria to allow for strong actions such as vehicle seizure during the investigation stage in cases of: ▲ fatal drunk driving accidents ▲ serious injury accidents caused by individuals with two or more drunk driving offenses within five years ▲ individuals with three or more drunk driving offenses within five years.
Kim Dongwook, Chief of the Gumi Police Station, stated, "Habitual drunk drivers are no different from potential murderers," and added, "We will continue to raise public awareness of the dangers of drunk driving by conducting rigorous investigations, including vehicle seizures, against malicious repeat offenders who pose a high risk of reoffending."
The police plan to continue strengthening enforcement and pursuing tougher penalties to eradicate habitual drunk driving.
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