By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Controversial fines slapped on speeding ambulances have pitted a non-profit organization against the police in an argument over when the emergency service should be forced to cough up ㅡ a battle which has seen some impounded.
Samarian 911, a social welfare corporation operating emergency vehicles, wants the police to write off fines incurred by its fleet since 1999.
But police contend that evidence should be produced to prove the ambulances were carrying emergency patients at the time of the offenses in order for the fines to be waived.
Samarian is asking for its 1 billion won in fines racked up over the last 10 years be rescinded.
The organization says that each of its ambulances have been penalized at least 20 times, with some hit with up to 400 fines. It has run a total of 364 vehicles since 1999 ㅡ including those now out of service ㅡ with 120 currently in operation nationwide.
``Some 1.17 billion won of fines have been levied since 1999. We have asked for a write-off because police began to pressure us to pay by seizing most of our ambulances,'' a Samarian director said.
``We are categorized as a corporation conducting emergency transportation services according to the law, so our ambulances are not subject to fines for violating the speed rule. But police impose fines on vehicles recorded on surveillance cameras."
The police said the organization should submit documentary evidence to have the fines annulled.
``Not all emergency vehicles are exempted from traffic fines. There should be evidence that they were carrying emergency patients at that time, such as vehicle operation records, treatment records on patients and hospitals' written confirmation,'' an officer at the National Police Agency said.
But Samarian said it only has records for recent months. ``Police say that we should submit records each time a ticket was issued,'' the Samarian director complained.
The police officer added, ``We know the organization's situation, but we also need to clear fines in arrears. The total amount of traffic fines people have failed to pay is reaching 1.4 trillion won, and we are now actively collecting them through forcible measures including seizure.''