By Na Jeong-ju
All drivers and passengers of taxies and buses using express highways must wear seatbelts from November.
If any passenger is found not buckling up, the driver will be fined 100,000 won ($88), and the driver’s firm 500,000 won.
The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs said Thursday it has revised the rules on the safety of passengers. The revision will go into effect from Nov. 24 after receiving approval from the Ministry of Government Legislation.
Under the revision, taxi and express bus drivers should check whether all passengers have buckled up before starting their vehicles. The drivers are allowed to expel passengers refusing to wear seatbelts.
Officials said the toughened seatbelt rules will help reduce the number of casualties in traffic accidents involving taxis and buses.
“We expect the change to increase awareness on the importance of buckling up among drivers and passengers,” a ministry official said.