Suspected Drunk Driver Ignored Police Orders and Was Arrested Using a Baton

A man in his 50s, suspected of drunk driving, faced arrest after vehemently refusing police orders to exit his vehicle, culminating in the shattering of his car window by a baton.

On the 4th, the Uijeongbu Police Station in Gyeonggi Province announced that they arrested a man in his 50s, referred to as A, on charges of violating the Road Traffic Act (refusal to undergo a breathalyzer test) and transferred him to the prosecution.

A is accused of refusing to take a breathalyzer test more than three times on a road in Geumodong, Uijeongbu City, at around 2:15 PM on the 15th of last month.

At that time, police received a report suspecting drunk driving, stating that "the car is stationary on the road," and dispatched officers to the scene. Upon arrival, the officers demanded A exit the vehicle several times, but he disregarded their requests and remained unresponsive inside his car.

As the situation escalated, the police requested assistance from surrounding drivers to prevent A's vehicle from fleeing.

Subsequently, after delivering a "final warning" to "open the door," the police were compelled to use a baton to break the driver’s side window.

A, forcibly removed from the vehicle, tested positive in a preliminary alcohol test conducted immediately afterward. Nevertheless, A continued to refuse formal breathalyzer tests three times and was ultimately arrested in the act.

Meanwhile, according to the current Road Traffic Act, the crime of refusing a breathalyzer test carries a penalty of imprisonment for one year to a maximum of five years, or fines ranging from 5 million to 20 million won. This situation signifies a potential penalty heavier than actual drunk driving, highlighting the seriousness of refusing a breathalyzer test.

Image source: Photo provided by Uijeongbu Police Station