Truck Driver Receives Suspended Fine for Collision at Flashing Red Light Intersection

A truck driver who caused an accident injuring another motorist after ignoring a flashing red traffic light has received a suspended fine in an appellate court ruling.

The Jeonju District Court Criminal Division 1, presided over by Judge Lee Young-eun, announced on July 3 that it overturned the original sentence of a 5 million won fine for A (55), who was charged with violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents (causing injury), and instead imposed a suspended sentence of 1 year of probation.

A was indicted for driving a 4.5-ton truck on a four-lane road in Bongdong-eup, Wanju-gun, North Jeolla Province, on January 15, 2024, at 8:30 a.m., when he struck a passenger car driven by B (60), causing injuries that required 12 weeks of treatment.

Just before the accident, A had entered the intersection facing a flashing red light, while B had entered from a different direction facing a flashing yellow light.

Under the Road Traffic Act, drivers facing a flashing red light must come to a complete stop before the stop line and proceed only after ensuring safety while remaining cautious of other vehicles.

In contrast, a flashing yellow light serves to alert drivers, imposing only a duty to slow down and exercise caution, similar to an intersection without traffic signals.

While A acknowledged that he did not come to a complete stop at the flashing red light, he argued, "My speed at the time was only 34 km/h (21 mph), and the victim (who was facing a flashing yellow light) also failed to fulfill their duty of care."

However, both the first-instance and appellate courts rejected this argument, stating, "The direct cause of this accident was the defendant's violation of the duty to come to a complete stop."

The appellate court explained, "Entering an intersection while violating a flashing red light is an act with a high probability of causing a collision. Although the defendant denies the causal relationship of the accident by assuming various hypothetical situations, it is difficult to accept such validity."

The court added, "However, as it appears the victim also contributed to the accident by failing to exercise the duty of care under a flashing yellow light or by exceeding the speed limit, we have determined that the original sentence was somewhat heavy and therefore unfair," explaining the reason for the reduced sentence.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.