Daegu city officials prepare to launch a crackdown on illegal motorcycle operations. [Daegu city government]
Daegu city officials prepare to launch a crackdown on illegal motorcycle operations. [Daegu city government]

Daegu is launching a joint crackdown with multiple agencies to eliminate illegal motorcycle operations and improve road safety.

The city announced Friday that it will conduct joint enforcement operations from Monday through Dec. 2 along major roads and in areas with high motorcycle traffic, in cooperation with district and county offices, the Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency, the Korea Transportation Safety Authority's Daegu-North Gyeongsang Province branch and the Automobile Maintenance Association.

The crackdown will target illegal modifications to headlights and mufflers, violations of safety standards, operation of unregistered vehicles, and missing, damaged or obscured license plates. Authorities will pay particular attention to uncertified lighting devices that obstruct other drivers' visibility and illegal noise-producing modifications.

Violators face up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won ($7,480) for illegal modifications, while safety standard violations carry a fine of up to 1 million won and an order to restore the vehicle to its original condition.

A joint operation conducted in April netted 47 violations, including unauthorized installation and alteration of lighting devices not meeting safety standards.

The number of registered motorcycles in Daegu fell 1.5 percent, from 120,020 in 2024 to 118,261 in 2025. Motorcycle accidents dropped 7.4 percent over the same period, from 900 to 833.

Heo Ju-yeong, head of Daegu's transportation bureau, said the city would continue enforcement and public awareness efforts to prevent motorcycle accidents and minimize inconvenience to residents. "We also ask drivers to comply with relevant laws and actively cooperate in building a safer traffic culture," Heo said.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com