｜Strong Sanctions Against Habitual Drunk Drivers

｜Strong Sanctions Against Habitual Drunk Drivers

The Gumi Police Station in North Gyeongsang Province has seized the vehicle of a habitual drunk driver who has been caught driving under the influence five times.

On the 13th, police announced that they have booked Mr. A (53) without detention for violations of the Road Traffic Act and drunk driving, after he caused a traffic accident while driving without a license and under the influence.

According to police investigations, Mr. A was driving his vehicle while intoxicated at around 9:45 PM on the 1st of this month on a road in Seonsan-eup, Gumi City, when he crashed into a median barrier.

At the time of the accident, Mr. A had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.122%, which is at the level of license suspension, and police arrested him at the scene and seized his vehicle.

License suspension level of intoxication

｜Legal Sanctions Against Habitual Drunk Drivers

｜Legal Sanctions Against Habitual Drunk Drivers

It has been confirmed that Mr. A had a history of being punished for drunk driving four times and for driving without a license twice prior to this accident.

Kim Soo-dong, head of the traffic accident investigation team at Gumi Police Station, explained, "In accordance with the revised standards for seizing vehicles from habitual drunk drivers established in 2023, we have seized Mr. A's vehicle, which has been caught multiple times for drunk driving and has had his license revoked."

Under current law, police can seize the vehicles of drivers who cause fatal accidents while driving under the influence or have been caught drunk driving four or more times in the last five years. This measure aims to prevent recidivism among habitual drunk drivers and to mitigate the severe social harm caused by drunk driving.

Kim Dong-wook, chief of Gumi Police Station, emphasized, "We will continue to conduct strict investigations, including seizing vehicles, to prevent recidivism for habitual drunk driving violations."

Drunk driving is a serious crime that threatens not only the driver’s life but also the lives of others. There are increasing calls for heightened societal awareness and effective sanction measures against habitual drunk drivers.

According to statistics from the National Police Agency, there were 153 fatalities and over 10,000 injuries from drunk driving traffic accidents in 2022. In response, the government is implementing various policies to eradicate drunk driving, including strengthening enforcement standards and increasing penalties.

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