[26.04.19] Crackdown on Right-Turn Violations Begins Tomorrow

Crackdown on Right-Turn Violations Begins Tomorrow

📍The Korean National Police Agency to conduct intensive enforcement for two months…pedestrian fatalities remain at 56%, indicating ongoing risk

The Korean National Police Agency will begin a two-month intensive crackdown on vehicles violating the right-turn stop obligation starting tomorrow. Although two years have passed since the system was introduced, confusion continues in real-world traffic situations, and the proportion of pedestrian damage in right-turn accidents remains high, leading to the judgment that stronger enforcement is necessary.

🔹 Two-month intensive crackdown begins tomorrow…focused management of high-risk areas

The Korean National Police Agency will conduct an intensive crackdown on violations of right-turn driving methods for about two months from April 20 to June 19.

This crackdown goes beyond simple guidance and is a focused management-type enforcement centered on areas with a high likelihood of accidents. Intersections, areas adjacent to crosswalks, and school zones where pedestrian and vehicle paths overlap are the main targets. 

In particular, enforcement intensity will be increased during time periods when traffic volume is high or visibility is limited, such as rush hours and nighttime.

🔹 “Right turns require a mandatory stop first”…legal rules clarified

Under the current Road Traffic Act, drivers must stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or just before the intersection when the traffic signal ahead is red.

After that, they must check for pedestrians and proceed slowly, and passing through according to traffic flow constitutes a clear violation.

In addition, at crosswalks encountered after making a right turn, if pedestrians are crossing or attempting to cross, the vehicle must stop. This is a key regulation to prioritize and protect the pedestrian right of way.

🔹 Fines and penalty points…possible license suspension

If the right-turn stop obligation is violated, a fine of 60,000 won and penalty points are imposed for passenger vehicles.

For vans, the fine is 70,000 won, and for motorcycles, 40,000 won, while 15 penalty points are imposed for signal violations and 10 points for failure to protect pedestrians.

These points may accumulate and lead to license suspension or revocation, resulting in consequences beyond simple monetary penalties.

🔹 Two years after implementation…ongoing confusion and driver conflicts

Although the right-turn stop system was introduced in 2023, confusion continues on actual roads.

Some drivers have not moved away from the existing perception that right turns are always allowed, and many still operate vehicles without properly understanding the obligation to stop.

As a result, conflicts between drivers, such as honking at vehicles that have stopped, are occurring frequently.

🔹 14,650 right-turn accidents…pedestrian damage concentrated

A total of 14,650 right-turn-related traffic accidents occurred last year. As a result, 75 people died and 18,897 were injured.

In particular, 42 of the fatalities, or 56%, were pedestrians, which is significantly higher than the proportion of pedestrians among all traffic accident fatalities at 36.3%.

This indicates that right-turn situations are structurally dangerous for pedestrians.

🔹 Elderly victims and large vehicle concentration…impact of blind spots

Among pedestrian fatalities, 54.8% were aged 65 or older, and large vehicles such as vans and trucks accounted for 66.7% of the at-fault vehicles.

Due to their structural characteristics, large vehicles have wide blind spots, increasing the likelihood of delayed pedestrian recognition during right turns and raising accident risk.

🔹 Enforcement alongside education and infrastructure improvements

The police are implementing education and infrastructure improvements alongside enforcement.

They are reflecting right-turn stop rules in driver’s license tests and expanding education for transportation workers, while also improving facilities by relocating crosswalks away from curved intersections.

🔹 “Need to establish a pedestrian-centered traffic culture”

A police official stated that stopping when making a right turn is not optional but mandatory and emphasized that a pedestrian-centered traffic awareness must be established to reduce accidents.

One-line summary : Starting tomorrow, an intensive crackdown on right-turn stop violations will be implemented, with securing pedestrian safety as a key objective.