Police to crack down on mandatory seat belts

A police officer distributes a leaflet to a driver at Sejongno crossroads in Seoul, Sept. 28, informing him that fastening seatbelts has become mandatory in accordance with a revision to the Traffic Law. / Korea Times photo by Ryu Hyo-jin

By Kim Jae-heun

From this month all people traveling in a car without wearing a seatbelt will be fined up to 60,000 won ($54).

According to the National Police Agency, Sunday, officers will execute a special crackdown on drivers and passengers who do not buckle up; as well as people riding motorbikes under the influence this month.

Anyone who does not wear a seatbelt in a car will be slapped with a fine of 30,000 won ― this is increased to 60,000 won for the parent or guardian of a child under 13 who is not in protective seating.

The government revised the traffic law Sept. 28 to get all people in cars to wear seatbelts with a two-month grace period.

The law applies to all kinds of vehicles including taxis, and public and school buses. However, drivers will not be fined if they warn passengers to fasten their seat belts in advance.

Motorcycle riders will face a fine of 30,000 won if they ride with a blood alcohol content level of 0.05 percent, equivalent to the level where car drivers lose their licenses.