By Kim Tae-jong
Owners of vehicles obstructing the passage of ambulances or fire trucks on duty will face a fine, beginning later this year, the National Police Agency said Monday.
Under current rules, only drivers are subject to the fine when they block or obstruct passage of ambulances and fire trucks on duty.
The change came after the Public Administration and Security Committee at the National Assembly passed an amendment to enforce a crackdown on those who refuse to make way for ambulances and fire trucks more effective.
The current law makes it hard to effectively punish the illegal practice as rescuers or firemen have to check drivers’ identity and report it to the authorities themselves.
Under the revised law, footage from closed-circuit surveillance cameras (CCTV) installed in the roads or in ambulances and fire trucks can be used as evidence to impose fines upon those who block the way. A car owner will face up to a 60,000 won ($55) fine.