"It's a Left-Turn Lane, So I Didn't Turn It On": Why Drivers Are Losing 40,000 Won

Even when waiting at a dedicated left-turn lane, drivers must turn on their turn signals.

If it is confirmed that a driver made a left turn without using a turn signal, a fine of 30,000 won or a penalty of 40,000 won may be imposed for passenger cars.

Police are intensively cracking down on basic traffic law violations, including failing to use turn signals, from the 1st of this month through December 31.

The Road Traffic Act stipulates that drivers must signal their intended direction using turn signals when turning left, right, making a U-turn, or changing lanes.

There are no exceptions even when waiting for a signal in a dedicated left-turn lane.

The timing for turning on the turn signal is also prescribed by law.

On regular roads, drivers must signal at least 30 meters before reaching the point where they intend to turn or change lanes, and at least 100 meters before on highways.

When turning left, the edge of the intersection serves as the standard.

For example, a driver who has entered a dedicated left-turn lane must turn on the left signal before arriving at the intersection.

Even if they stop due to a red light afterward, they must keep the turn signal on and turn it off only after completing the left turn.

The Korean National Police Agency is also pushing to impose 10 penalty points on drivers who fail to use turn signals.

The 10 penalty points for failing to use turn signals are currently in the pre-implementation stage, and the intensive crackdown underway starting this month applies the existing fine and penalty regulations.

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Lee Da-in | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.