Police are reviewing a plan to refer parents for investigation in connection with a crackdown on "fixie bicycles," which are popular among teenagers.
The Korean National Police Agency said on the 22nd that it will crack down on illegal acts such as teenagers driving on roads with personal mobility (PM) devices, including unlicensed e-scooters, and fixie bicycles, and will consider requesting investigations into PM sharing companies and parents over chronic problems to root out teenagers' dangerous and reckless behavior.
A fixie bicycle is a racing bicycle that uses only one gear without a derailleur or brakes. The trend has recently spread beyond middle and high school students to upper grades of elementary school.
Police view fixie bicycles as a means of transportation that qualifies as a "vehicle." In this case, they can apply the Road Traffic Act provision requiring precise operation and control of braking devices.
Typically, violating the duty of safe driving is subject to a summary trial request. However, for children and teenagers under 18 riding fixie bicycles, authorities can notify parents and issue a warning. If guardians fail to take appropriate measures despite repeated warnings, police believe it could be deemed neglect under the Child Welfare Act and punished.
Meanwhile, to coincide with the start of the new school term, police will carry out traffic safety guidance and crackdowns on law violations for eight weeks through Apr. 17, focusing on areas with heavy child activity. Police officers, Green Mothers' Association members, and exemplary drivers will be deployed during school commute hours to conduct traffic safety activities. They plan to guide pedestrian safety and prevent accidents at crosswalks without traffic lights and in blind spots of unmanned enforcement equipment within child protection zones.
Unannounced DUI checkpoints will also be conducted around school routes during the day. Police will also toughen crackdowns on motorcycles that run red lights within child protection zones and on children's shuttle buses traveling to and from private academies during drop-off and pick-up times.