Tougher traffic rules to come into force in 2019

The government has changed the law in response to a growing number of car accidents involving older drivers. Yonhap

By Lee Min-young

Older drivers will have to renew their licenses every three years and drunk driving offenders will face tougher penalties under changes to take effect in 2019.

According to the National Police Agency (NPA) Sunday, drivers who are 75 or older will have to renew their licenses every three years ― as against five years now. They will also have to take a two-hour traffic safety course.

The government changed the law in response to a growing number of car accidents involving older drivers. According to the NPA, car accidents caused by people aged 75-79 have increased by 14.3 percent on average every year between 2012 and 2017. Among drivers 80 or older, the figure rose by 18.5 percent.

Also, revised impaired driving legislation will come into force in June. The law lowers the legal blood alcohol limit to 0.03 percent from 0.05 percent.

Violators will face tougher penalties. Currently, three-time offenders face up to three years' jail or a fine of up to 10 million won ($9,000). From June 25, second-time offenders will face up five years' jail or a fine of up to 20 million won.

If a driver inflicts fatalities while driving under the influence, he or she will have to wait five years to take another license test.