A special crackdown on all seatbelts in cars took place at Seocho Interchange in Seocho-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on December 2nd. This special crackdown started from the first day of this month and will last up to the 31st day of this month. All vehicles are targeted, including regular cars, public transportation, taxis, and children's school buses. Five cases were detected during a one-hour crackdown from 11 a.m. on that day. All of them were cases that fellow riders did not wear seat belts in regular cars. So, they had to pay a fine.

The amended law that all riders of vehicles must wear their seat belts have been applied since September 28th. According to this law, if someone breaks it, he or she must pay a fine. The amount of the fine is decided according to his or her age. Adults who do not wear seatbelts must pay 30,000 won, and children under 13 who do not wear seatbelts must pay 60,000 won.

The current crackdown is being carried out thoro

ughly by police officers. In other words, police officers have to check whether all passengers, including the driver, are wearing seat belts through the windows of passing vehicles. A person related to the police said that these days, it is difficult to check drivers and passengers if they wear seatbelts because all of the windows including windscreens are heavily tinted. Also, he said that the extent of injuries in car accidents varies greatly depending on whether or not we wear seat belts. He also added that with a seat belt, not only the driver but also the people who ride next to him can protect their precious lives.

The Road Traffic Act, as amended on September 28, obliges us to wear seat belts in vehicles in all roads. Police have been holding a special crackdown until the end of this month.

By Kim Hyeon