Ministry plans heavier speeding fines

The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs unveiled a draft package of traffic safety measures at a public hearing in Seoul on Thursday, which consists of increased speeding fines, brighter crosswalks and tougher penalties for drunk driving.

Though the number of deaths from road accidents in Korea has declined by nearly half over the last decade to about 5,500 in 2010, the figure per 10,000 vehicles still stands at 2.86, far higher than the OECD average of 1.25.

In a bid to slash traffic fatalities by 40 percent until 2016, the ministry proposed to double fines for driving 40 kilometers per hour over the limit to 180,000 won ($167) and to suspend and cancel licenses for 60 kilometers over the limit.

It is also pushing to lower the maximum permissible blood-alcohol level to 0.03 percent from the current 0.05.

In addition to tighter rules, the ministry plans to improve infrastructure, maintenance and emergency response systems to establish a safer traffic environment for both drivers and pedestrians.

Under the plans, the ministry is also pushing to take criminal action against pilots who report to work drunk and thus seriously endanger the safety of passengers aboard flights.

The ministry said the plan will cover pilots and flight attendants employed by both local and foreign carriers operating from the country.

Since last October, the ministry has found two cases of pilots who reported to work drunk, which sent shockwaves through society.

The ministry’s proposals are due to be finalized by the end of the year after consultations with police authorities and the Ministry of Public Administration and Security.

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)