(image: Yonhap News TV)
SEOUL, July 2 (Korea Bizwire) — The Constitutional Court ruled that banning the use of cellphones while driving does not violate the constitution.
The court reached a consensus that a provision stipulated in the Road Traffic Act that bans the use of mobile phones while driving is in alignment with the constitution, the court said on Thursday.
“Using cellphones while driving increases the risk of traffic accidents, and should be banned to protect the life, body, and property of the people,” the court said.
“The law allows certain exceptions that permit the use of cellphones in emergency situations, minimizing unnecessary inconvenience,”
“Using cellphones while driving can be punished by a maximum fine of 200,000 won (US$176), which does not constitute a severe punishment,” the court added.
“Rather, it helps prevent traffic accidents, and it does not violate the principle of proportionality, considering the importance of protecting the life, body, and property of citizens.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
