New plan would allow for ’designated speeders’
The National Police Agency announced a plan August 30 aimed at curbing injuries on national holidays caused by speeding drivers of two-wheeled motorized vehicles. On such days, drivers of scooters, motorbikes, or motorcycles who inform the police in advance will be allowed to drive above the speed limit at a designated time and under police escort. Speeding motorbikes are a constant problem on South Korea’s national holidays, such as the anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement and Liberation Day on August 15, as drivers rapidly ply the near-empty streets and pose a threat to vehicles and pedestrians."So far, we have taken measures to crack down on those reckless motorbike drivers, but such efforts have caused injuries to police and drivers, said Park Jong-uk, an official of the National Police Agency. "Therefore, instead we are going to step up systematic measures to punish those drivers who fail to report [according to the new system] in advance," he added. Additionally, authorities are considering some highways as designated areas where fast motorbike driving would be permitted. However, there are controversies over the new ’carrot and stick’ strategy’s effects, as it is unclear whether or not bike drivers will follow the new preregistration plan.
