Man weaved through traffic 22 times in 10 minutes without signaling, police say, threatening safety of Chuseok holiday travelers

A file image of a traffic accident. This image is unrelated to the article. [Getty Images Bank]
A file image of a traffic accident. This image is unrelated to the article. [Getty Images Bank]

A driver of a Grandeur sedan who hit 157 km/h on an 80 km/h road and committed 22 traffic violations in just 10 minutes was arrested at the scene after a police chase and now faces serious criminal liability.

According to police, the suspect, identified only as A, is accused of reckless driving on National Route 44 in Jumeumchi-ri, Hwachon-myeon, Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon Province, at around 3 p.m. Thursday.

A's driving amounted to a weapon on the road. He repeatedly cut across lanes without signaling — a maneuver known in Korean as "kaltchigi," or knife-cutting — and tailgated vehicles ahead with no regard for safe following distances. Police determined he committed 22 traffic violations, including illegal lane changes, in just over 10 minutes.

The speeding was equally alarming. Despite the 80 km/h speed limit, A accelerated to a peak of 157 km/h. Police confirmed he drove at speeds exceeding 140 km/h on 31 separate occasions.

Officers on patrol witnessed the dangerous driving and immediately gave chase, apprehending A at the scene. After being stopped, he was reported to have said, "My daughter in Wonju was sick and I was in a rush, which is why I broke the traffic laws."

That explanation is unlikely to spare him from severe punishment. Article 46-3 of the Road Traffic Act explicitly classifies repeated or consecutive acts of speeding, failing to maintain safe distances, and abrupt lane changes that endanger others as reckless driving — a criminal offense.

Under Article 151-2 of the Road Traffic Act, A could face up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 5 million won ($3,680). He also faces an administrative penalty of 40 demerit points upon criminal indictment, which would suspend his license for 40 days; depending on the severity of the case, his license could be revoked entirely.

Police said they plan to use the incident as an impetus to intensify enforcement of serious traffic violations — including speeding and reckless driving — throughout the Chuseok holiday period to prevent major accidents.


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