Law banning use of cell phones while driving is for everyone, Koreans warn
By Jim Lea, Osan bureau chief
A new South Korean law prohibiting the use of cellular telephones while driving becomes
effective Saturday, and South Korean police say they’ll make no exception for U.S.
military drivers.
"The law applies to everyone and there’ll be no exceptions," a National
Police spokesman said. "The reason the law was enacted is to protect the public
safety and everyone must abide by the law."
U.S. Forces Korea officials also say people who are in the country under the U.S.-South
Korea Status of Forces Agreement must obey all Korean traffic regulations.
The fine for using cellular phones while driving is 60,000 won (about $46).
The police spokesman said cellular phones equipped with hands-free answering devices
may be answered while driving. Those devices are available at rental telephone counters in
Army and Air Force Exchange Service facilities or off-base stores. Purchasers should take
their phones with them when buying the devices to make sure they get a device designed for
their phone.
Phones equipped to make voice-activated calls are also authorized, the spokesman said.
Drivers who must punch in the telephone number to make a call can do so only when the
vehicle is completely stopped, either parked on the roadside or waiting for a traffic
light to change, he said.
The spokesman could not give figures for the number of accidents that have resulted
from cell phone use while driving. Studies made by insurance companies and medical
organizations, he said, show the practice is as dangerous as drunk driving.
And don’t think you’re in the clear just because there are no police around.
According to a police spokesman, there are tens of thousands of private citizens now on
the lookout for drivers breaking traffic rules.
Dubbed "traffic paparazzi" by the Korean press, they receive a reward of
3,000 won (about $2.40) for every photograph of a driver violating the law they take and
turn in to police.
The National Police Agency has paid out several billion won in rewards since early
March, and some paparazzi reportedly are making $2,000 to $3,000 a month taking the
photos.
When the photos are turned in, police use the license number to get the offender’s
address and send bills for the fine.
Bae Gi-chul contributed to this report.
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